News
Border Patrol agent shoots man on Highway 191 near Douglas
By Jonathon Shacat/Wick Communications
DOUGLAS - A U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and wounded a man who was transporting four illegal immigrants northwest of Douglas on Thursday morning.
The agent pulled over a 1999 Chevrolet pickup at about 9:30 a.m. near mile marker 7.5 along Highway 191 between Douglas and McNeal, said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff's Office.
"The Border Patrol had information that this vehicle and license plate had been in Douglas loading a group of illegal immigrants. The agent observed the suspect vehicle and confirmed the license plate before he made a traffic stop on it," Capas said.
The driver tried to flee and dragged the agent for about 20 feet. The agent shot the driver in the leg. Capas said the agent fired a single shot.
Luis Sanchez-Barron, 29, of Hermosillo, Sonora, has been tentatively identified as the driver, but authorities are still trying to positively identify him and confirm his citizenship, Capas said.
Five people were in the vehicle. The four passengers are illegal immigrants, Capas said. They were taken into custody and transported to the Border Patrol station in Douglas, where they were interviewed by sheriff's detectives.
A spokesman for the Mexican Consulate in Douglas said officials were notified of the incident and they plan to interview the people involved. The illegal immigrants are believed to be from Mexico.
Sanchez-Barron was airlifted to University Medical Center in Tucson, said Rob Daniels, a public affairs officer with Border Patrol. He was listed in fair condition on Thursday.
The agent was transported to Southeastern Arizona Medical Center in Douglas for cuts and abrasions.
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation, Capas said. The FBI is investigating the assault on the agent.
The Department of Homeland Security also is conducting an internal investigation.
Yellow tape surrounded the general area and a portion of Highway 191 was temporarily closed. Traffic was diverted around the scene.
Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Douglas Police Department also responded.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
The agent pulled over a 1999 Chevrolet pickup at about 9:30 a.m. near mile marker 7.5 along Highway 191 between Douglas and McNeal, said Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the Cochise County Sheriff's Office.
"The Border Patrol had information that this vehicle and license plate had been in Douglas loading a group of illegal immigrants. The agent observed the suspect vehicle and confirmed the license plate before he made a traffic stop on it," Capas said.
The driver tried to flee and dragged the agent for about 20 feet. The agent shot the driver in the leg. Capas said the agent fired a single shot.
Luis Sanchez-Barron, 29, of Hermosillo, Sonora, has been tentatively identified as the driver, but authorities are still trying to positively identify him and confirm his citizenship, Capas said.
Five people were in the vehicle. The four passengers are illegal immigrants, Capas said. They were taken into custody and transported to the Border Patrol station in Douglas, where they were interviewed by sheriff's detectives.
A spokesman for the Mexican Consulate in Douglas said officials were notified of the incident and they plan to interview the people involved. The illegal immigrants are believed to be from Mexico.
Sanchez-Barron was airlifted to University Medical Center in Tucson, said Rob Daniels, a public affairs officer with Border Patrol. He was listed in fair condition on Thursday.
The agent was transported to Southeastern Arizona Medical Center in Douglas for cuts and abrasions.
The Cochise County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation, Capas said. The FBI is investigating the assault on the agent.
The Department of Homeland Security also is conducting an internal investigation.
Yellow tape surrounded the general area and a portion of Highway 191 was temporarily closed. Traffic was diverted around the scene.
Officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Douglas Police Department also responded.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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