Summary: A U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed a suspected cartel smuggler Thursday after a physical struggle near the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas, Fox News confirmed. Sources say the suspect assaulted the agent, who fired in self‑defense; the agent was reported to be "okay." Texas DPS said the suspect was pronounced dead at Starr County Memorial Hospital and officials confirmed the shooting occurred at about 5:30 p.m. The area was temporarily secured while investigators processed the scene.
Border Patrol Agent Fatally Shoots Suspected Cartel Smuggler After Struggle on Rio Grande in Starr County
A U.S. Border Patrol agent is alive after shooting and killing a suspected cartel smuggler during a "struggle" at the border, according to Texas law enforcement.
A U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed a suspected cartel smuggler Thursday after encountering the man along the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas, Fox News confirmed.
According to three border law-enforcement sources who spoke with Fox News, the suspect assaulted the agent during the encounter. The agent fired his weapon in what officials described as self‑defense, killing the suspect. Those sources said the agent was reported to be "okay."
U.S. Border Patrol was involved in an officer-involved shooting Thursday in Midway, Texas.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) posted on X that the incident was an officer‑involved shooting and that the suspect was pronounced dead at Starr County Memorial Hospital. The Starr County Sheriff’s Office said Border Patrol agents were "involved in a struggle prior to the shooting," and officials confirmed the shooting occurred at about 5:30 p.m. local time.
Sheriff’s deputies asked the public to avoid the area while first responders and investigators cleared and secured the scene. Fox News Digital reported that neither the Texas DPS nor U.S. Customs and Border Protection immediately responded to requests for comment.
It is unclear what led to the encounter or the subsequent shooting.
What We Know
- The shooting occurred near the Rio Grande in Starr County at about 5:30 p.m.
- Local authorities and Border Patrol describe the incident as an officer-involved shooting after a physical struggle.
- The suspect was transported to Starr County Memorial Hospital and pronounced dead.
This remains a developing story. Authorities have not released the identities of the agent or the deceased, and investigators are expected to release additional details as the probe continues.
