The Mexican government has expressed concern about Monday’s shooting death of a Mexican man by a U.S. Border Patrol agent east of Douglas.
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The day after the incident, the Consulate of Mexico in Douglas released a statement saying it is “deeply concerned regarding the incident in which a potential compatriot lost his life, as we are with any case in which the life and rights of Mexican citizens anywhere are involved.”
In a statement, Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department said it awaits results of an investigation of the incident, which is said to have occurred about half a mile north of the border.
“The Consulate of Mexico in Douglas maintains communication with all relevant local authorities to monitor this process. Also, the procedure was initiated to locate the relatives of Mr. Solis Palma and provide them with appropriate assistance, including steps to repatriate the body to Mexico,” the news release states.
About 8:30 a.m. Monday, the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a shooting by a Border Patrol agent in the area of “D” Hill east of Douglas. Agents reported a shooting had occurred and one man was receiving medical attention, according to Carol Capas, spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.
According to Capas, the initial investigation shows Border Patrol agents were in the area of Bay Acres, northeast of Douglas, tracking several suspected illegal immigrants. The agents followed three of the individuals south toward “D” Hill when agents lost sight of the suspected immigrants, Capas said.
Someone then notified the agents of a Hispanic male, possibly an illegal immigrant, walking south from the area.
A Border Patrol canine tracked the man to where he hid under a tree, Capas said.
The man refused to come out and began throwing rocks at both a Border Patrol agent and the canine.
The man then fled the area with several agents in pursuit on foot before, Capas said, the man then began “aggressively throwing more rocks while refusing commands to stop.”
It was then that “a Border Patrol agent fired two shots at the subject when he attempted to further assault the agent,” Capas said.
The agents applied first aid to the man before he died while being taken to the Tucson hospital via helicopter.
“One Border Patrol agent was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during this incident and the canine was treated by a local veterinarian, also for treatment for injuries from being struck with a rock,” Capas said.
A Border Patrol report of the incident gives no indication that nearby surveillance cameras recorded the incident, said Omar Candelaria, special operations supervisor for the U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector. However, there’s at least one video camera tower in the area.
An investigation into the incident is being conducted by both the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with assistance from the U.S
Comments
richard wrote on Jan 20, 2010 3:03 PM:
hummm wrote on Jan 19, 2010 7:41 PM:
me wrote on Jan 15, 2010 6:44 PM:
It's amazing that if in fact that article was true that this info hasn't made it all news articles.
I also think that when people think of someone throwing a rock, we immediately think of someone throwing a golfball size rock or smaller. When in fact these guys are chucking softball size rocks that can cause serious injuries. I think BP should release some of the pictures of prior rocking incidents where agents have been hit to educate the public on what can happen. "
to Unknown Richard wrote on Jan 14, 2010 3:43 PM:
Taking an event that occurred in the bible, David slew a giant with a rock. A rock can kill if it strikes the right area of the body. Do not proceed to state that "it was just a rock."
Both state and federal statutes on use of deadly force list justifications for use of deadly force as an event where one is protecting themselves or another from harm.
Mr. Palma broke federal law by crossing the border illegally. He then committed a felony, throwing rocks at federal agents in the performance of their duties. Deadly force was used.
Additionally if you read further, the agent began first aid on Mr. Palma prior to being air transported to Tucson.
I fail to understand how the agent was wrong.
An incident happened in Mexico where a U.S. Citizen from California was visiting family of his wife. Masked bandits came into the bar; kidnapped the American along with five others that were there and took them away. His body along with the other 5 were found a short time later; shot in the back of the head, execution style. The only thing the Mexican consulate said was he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. No admonishment or apology was given to the family. Kind ironic isn't it. "
unkown wrote on Jan 12, 2010 11:23 AM:
Bothered wrote on Jan 10, 2010 8:17 PM:
The statement says they are concerned with rights of Mexican citizens anywhere. Why not start with your own country Mr. Consulate? Why not start adressing the bloodshed in your country, and the innocent people that are affected by it. Why not address why your country cannot provide a great quality of life for its citizens and avoid incidents like this one and others.
Why not take responsibility and make a statement like "The man broke a federal law and commited assualt on federal officers."
I feel for the family of the man shot, somewhere there is a mother, a wife, a father, brother, sister, grieving this mans death and cursing the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A senless act that could have been avoided! "
Thank God the Agents are OK wrote on Jan 9, 2010 12:11 PM:
Really?
I wish they were concerned that one of their citizens was illegally present in the United States and was dumb enough to throw several rocks at armed people.
Someone translate the following to the Foreign Relations Department for me:
You do not take a rock to a gun fight. "
L.A.M. wrote on Jan 8, 2010 2:12 PM:
E. L. wrote on Jan 8, 2010 12:28 PM:
richard wrote on Jan 8, 2010 11:46 AM:
siding with Border Patrol wrote on Jan 7, 2010 7:07 PM: