TUCSON – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Nogales Station arrested a U.S. citizen after he fled from the I-19 Immigration Checkpoint, shot at agents, and was found to have two illegal aliens in his vehicle near Amado, Arizona, December 24.
Agents referred a Ford Escape for secondary inspection, however, the driver failed to yield and fled from the immigration checkpoint. As agents pursued the Ford, the driver fired multiple shots at agents before losing control of the vehicle and rolling over near kilometer post 56 on Interstate 19. One of the passengers was ejected from the vehicle.
All three vehicle occupants, the driver and two illegal aliens, were arrested and transported to a local hospital and treated for their injuries, and subsequently released.
U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the incident and processing the 21-year-old driver for multiple felony charges.
The two Mexican national passengers will be processed for immigration violations in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines.
In Fiscal Year 2017, there were 93 assaults on Tucson Sector agents, and 786 assaults nation-wide on Border Patrol.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.
