More than 100 ask for justice for LaMadrid

By Francisco Barrios
Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 11:06 AM MDT


More than 100 attended a protest march calling for justice for the shooting of Douglas resident Carlos LaMadrid two weeks ago.


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LaMadrid was shot three times in the back and once in the shoulder as he attempted to climb a ladder to evade capture by law enforcement agencies at the border fence. The shot came from the gun of a Border Patrol agent.

The march started on 5th Street and Pan American Avenue, just blocks from the U.S.-Mexico border. It continued up International Avenue until they reached the site of the shooting, near Cochsie Ave.

LaMadrid’s wife, Nydia Valenzuela, and LaMadrid and Guerrero families, as well as friends and the Border Action Network coordinators were at the protest to seek justice and to ask the community to help them to stop the killings in the border areas.

Carmina Guerrero, LaMadrid’s aunt said “We ask for justice in our borders and we ask for the support of the community to make sure what happened to “Carlitos” never happens again to avoid this sorrow to the families of the victims. We want to make everyone conscious that not because of they have a badge they can kill anyone and do whatever they want.”

According to Janeth Guerrero, a relative of LaMadrid, another reason to do the protest was that the authorities haven’t helped them that much.

“We haven’t received any official report from the Douglas Police, the Border Patrol, not even from the Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Deputy Roger Clark said to us that they won’t deliver any report until the case is solved.”

The march ended with candles and flowers placed where LaMadrid was shot.

Julissa Villa, Border Action Network Coordinator said that they are supporting the family because excessive use of force and all the killing must stop and they will fight next to the family until justice is done.

In an earlier interview, Jennifer Allen, executive director of the Boarder Action Network, said that the death of Carlos LaMadrid has shaken the border communities.

Comments

    resident wrote on Apr 29, 2011 12:27 AM:

    " It is true that we cannot judge him, only god can judge. A loss of a son is a harsh sentence for any family. A good kid gone down the wrong path certainly deserves a chance to change his ways, because the wrong path only leads to a premature death. Mexican, Asian, White- drugs will lead you in that direction. His chance to change came in the form of a badge. Not running and acknowledging his wrong doing-making a change would have been the right choice. I am also sorry that carlos lamadrid had to put the border patrol in a place where action was required to contain the situation. The line has been drawn we need to respect it. The border agent should not have to pull a gun on people. However people just dont respect it. The fence is there-stay away from it. "

    T wrote on Apr 28, 2011 11:16 PM:

    " Really?? 100% Mexican and BPhtr You are the racist ones. You are so proud to be Mexican and hate whites? Then go to Mexico. You don't need to be here. Those of us who want to be part of a great country here are being given a bad rep by haters like you. You talk about how bad racism is, but you are no better. In fact you are worse because you are a hypocrit and a hater. "

    biker wrote on Apr 22, 2011 1:17 PM:

    " He got what he had comming. Lets get rid of all the drug smugglers they ruin the lives of our children. Hope this happens to more law breakers. "

    SO WRONG wrote on Apr 19, 2011 12:27 AM:

    " IT IS REALLY SAD HOW PEOPLE COULD WRITE THESE CRUEL COMMENTS ABOUT THIS FAMILY! SOME PEOPLE HAVE NO HEART... OBVIOUSLY!! I CANT BELIEVE WHAT HARSH JUDGEMENTAL PEOPLE ARE IN THESE WORLD , I AM ASHAMED AND EMBARASSED FOR THESE DISGUSTING PEOPLE WE HAVE TO LIVE AMOUNGST..YOU PEOPLE ARE NO ONE TO JUDGE HIM OR HIS FAMILY .. ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE YOU AND THAT HE WILL!MAY GOD BLESS ALL YOUR SOULS BECAUSE GOD KNOWS YOU NEED IT.. YOU PEOPLE ARE AN EMBARRASMENT TO SOCIETY.


    R.I.P CARLOS LaMADRID "

    NOCREO wrote on Apr 16, 2011 10:56 PM:

    " Sad story.....this has to stop. C'mon people lets get togthere, but lets get together to stop the smuggling of people and drugs. You see how quickly things can turn in Mexico (Look at Juarez). This is a small town and we dont wont that sort of stuff here. Think were we would be at without Law Enforcement present...especially Border Patrol (Son Muchos!)

    Vamos Gente!! Estamos peliando lo que no devemos! Lets STOP THE DRUGS!!! If this kid wasnt influenced by the easy $$ of drugs. He would still be alive.....that SIMPLE! "

    t wrote on Apr 13, 2011 3:28 PM:

    " by the way, who is the BP who shot, La madrid, after all we have the right to know. "

    Manuel wrote on Apr 13, 2011 8:48 AM:

    " border patrol did a bad job all they are doing is making a war with mexicans from douglas and from agua prieta and if you were to go to war with us we will win. You want to talk about indangering our children how about when your kids get shoot and noone gives a dame your selfish this kids family is suffering seeing thier soon die and watch if your son would get shoot by one of the agents you would do the same. Carlito will get justice and we will keep fighting till he does "

    HELLO wrote on Apr 12, 2011 11:38 PM:

    " How much sympathy would one receive, if their child had been killed by his reckless driving through a school zone. Had he lost control of his vehicle as he drove past my babysitters house with my child inside. He was totally wrong in what he was doing!!! Law enforcement was doing exactly what they were trained to do. I commend the BP and DPD for their work. May this be a lesson to all those who continue to smuggle drugs and people. Get a real job "

    100 MEXICAN wrote on Apr 12, 2011 2:53 PM:

    " ITS SAD TO SEE THAT THE PEOPLE BAD MOUTHING THIS GUY ARE ACTUALLY MEXICAN JUST LIKE 90% OF THIS TOWN. DOUGLAS NEEDS TO STOP PROTECTING ALL THOSE CORRUPT BP'S AND LIVE MEXICAN CUZ THATS WHAT WE ARE I ALMOST CAN ASURE THAT THE BP THAT SHOT THIS GUY WAS RACIST AND DIDNT CARE ABOUT US SO WHY SHOULD WE CARE ABOUT THE BP'S? TODOS LOS MIGRAS SON UNA BOLA DE NOPALUDOS PATA RAJADAS PERO KE SE CREN GRINGOS. RIP CARLOS. "

    IHOPEHEGETSJUSTICE wrote on Apr 12, 2011 2:34 PM:

    " I really hope this guy gets some justice no matter what the wannabe BP's are posting on here. Many people do these type of crims and never do they shoot at them. I hope he gets justice some day. And may god bless his family because i am sure they are hurting. Too bad people trash talk them instead of thinking how they feel. Y Arriba el charco. "

    borderpatrolhter wrote on Apr 12, 2011 10:24 AM:

    " Lamadrid was a good kid yeah he made a mistake like we all do because i can tell u now that none of us are perfect and the funny part is that the people posting these ugly comments about him are the most corrupted people out there.STOP THINKING LIKE UR WHITE. Because like i said i can guarantee you that those of you talking smack are more corrupted than this kid ever was. "

    Oh Please wrote on Apr 12, 2011 10:16 AM:

    " I was taught if you live by the sword, you die by the sword. He was a drug smuggler; a criminal,end of story. "

    Leroy wrote on Apr 11, 2011 11:36 AM:

    " Drug Deal, People smuggler, etc...
    Still, being shot three times in the back and once in the shoulder while climbing a ladder to escape, was just a little too much, don't you think! "

    Hawk wrote on Apr 10, 2011 7:30 AM:

    " Great job Border Patrol. You protected use from another drug dealer. I wonder how many people he killed with his drugs and for his drugs. "

    Whatever wrote on Apr 7, 2011 3:06 PM:

    " This idiot family supports drug dealers on the streets? I could care less about his life. He is putting drugs on the streets endangering our children. Good job BORDER PATROL!!!! "

    WOW wrote on Apr 7, 2011 2:33 PM:

    " Lets have justice for someone who fled away from Police with drugs???

    Really? "

    Truth wrote on Apr 6, 2011 4:34 PM:

    " It's always painful for those whose loved ones have died. RIP Carlos.

    And it's the human condition to point the blame away from the common denominator or the cause of this particular situation. Drug trafficking/smuggling.

    This was Carlos's business, one that is quite popular with many families that live here and in AP. As with the tragedy of this business it metes out death and distruction and Carlos became a statistic.

    BAN if you truly want justice then start addressing those that perpetuate the problem of drug and human smuggling. Remember to start looking within your own beliefs, rank, and file "

    T wrote on Apr 6, 2011 3:11 PM:

    " His death hasn't shaken the community in whole. It has only shaken the smugglers who thought they could do whatever they want and nothing would happen to them. The rest of us who live life legal are happy that someone is finally doing something to stop the smuggling corridor that we live in. Carlos had a choice, this wasn't his first go-round with chases from the cops. Douglas can not stand by and allow smugglers to take over our town. "

    Are You Kidding Me wrote on Apr 6, 2011 2:28 PM:

    " This is ridiculous!

    STOP AND THINK PEOPLE!

    HE WAS A DRUG SMUGGLER!

    He got out of court that same morning for other drug charges loaded up his car with 48 pounds of dope, sped through neighborhoods, purposely HIT THE AGENTS CAR, then fled while his buddies threw BRICK size rocks at the agent.

    What do you expect the agent to do?
    I expect the agent to protect himself in whatever way he needs to and to the fullest extent!

    You should have a rally protesting families that teach their children to smuggle drugs and have no regard for public saftey or laws! "

    John wrote on Apr 6, 2011 1:29 PM:

    " GO HOME and morn his death as family and freinds. Then decide how you can educate the other children in the neighborhood on "how not be be a criminal and pay the price." "

    Juan de la Cruz Valdez wrote on Apr 6, 2011 12:28 PM:

    " This guy did get justice! Drug dealers deserve to be shot dead they ruin a lot of lives! "

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