A 33-year-old Wisconsin man, James Douglas McMillan, was killed after fleeing a Border Patrol checkpoint at Sierra Blanca and engaging in a lengthy pursuit along I-10, DPS said. Officials say McMillan fired at law enforcement and civilian vehicles; officers returned fire and forced the car to crash about 70 miles from the checkpoint. Texas Rangers, the FBI and Border Patrol are investigating, and DPS reported no ongoing threat to the public.
Driver Killed After 70-Mile Chase From Sierra Blanca Border Patrol Checkpoint, Officials Say
Law enforcement officers surround a crashed vehicle after pursuing the driver in a car chase along Interstate 10 near Van Horn, Texas, on Wednesday. - Courtesy Olivia Siqueiros
A 33-year-old Wisconsin man, identified by the Texas Department of Public Safety as James Douglas McMillan, was shot and killed Wednesday after fleeing a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Sierra Blanca and exchanging gunfire with law enforcement, state officials said.
What Happened
DPS investigators say a Border Patrol drug-detection K-9 alerted to McMillan's vehicle as he passed through the remote Sierra Blanca checkpoint, about 90 miles east of El Paso. When agents asked him to pull over for a search, McMillan accelerated away, prompting a high-speed pursuit along Interstate 10. Law enforcement pursued by ground units and helicopter.
According to DPS, McMillan fired from his vehicle at both law enforcement and civilian cars during the chase. Officers returned fire and, at roughly 70 miles from the checkpoint, troopers performed a maneuver that caused the vehicle to crash. Authorities say McMillan then barricaded himself in the car, pointed a weapon toward officers, and was shot and killed when officers discharged their weapons. No one else was reported injured.
Agencies Involved
The pursuit involved Texas State Troopers, U.S. Border Patrol agents and members of the Culberson County Sheriff’s Office. DPS said it was not yet clear which agency fired the shot that proved fatal. A Culberson County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told CNN earlier that the driver began firing inside the checkpoint and that only one law enforcement officer fired at the suspect; DPS has sought clarification.
Investigation and Vehicle Details
Texas Rangers are leading the investigation with assistance from the FBI and Border Patrol. DPS said a preliminary probe indicates the vehicle McMillan was driving may have been stolen in Arizona. Authorities have not released additional details about any possible motive.
Witness Accounts
Multiple bystander videos show several law enforcement vehicles pursuing a car weaving through highway traffic. Olivia Siqueiros, who said she was driving with family when the pursuit passed, described stopping near other motorists to watch. “We got out of our cars because we were trying to figure out what was happening,” Siqueiros said. “At that point, we saw a flash grenade go off and then we heard a loud boom and several gunshots. Everyone just ran back in their cars.”
Video taken after the exchange shows the suspect’s car wedged in a roadside ditch with the driver’s-side door and trunk open.
Public Safety and Context
DPS posted on X (formerly Twitter) that there was no ongoing threat to the public but asked drivers to avoid I-10 near the town of Kent while investigators remained on scene. The checkpoint where the incident began is equipped with a semi-autonomous vehicle barrier system installed in January; officials said it was unclear whether the barrier was involved in this case.
Officials also noted the shooting occurred amid broader concerns about threats to immigration enforcement officers. The Department of Homeland Security has previously reported an increase in threats during intensified enforcement periods, but authorities have not tied that trend to this specific incident.
Note: The situation remains under active investigation. Authorities have released limited information and expect further updates as the inquiry proceeds.
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