US Border Patrol Agent Shot, Killed In Arizona

[vailpass]

Murdered on our territory by foreign hostiles. Re-deploy our military troops to the border now. Federal government says border security is under their authority? Then act.

U.S. Border Patrol agent shot, killed in Arizona near Mexico border

by Cassondra Strande and D.S. Woodfill - Oct. 2, 2012 10:18 AM
The Republic | azcentral.com

One Border Patrol agent was killed and another seriously injured in a shooting early Tuesday near the U.S.-Mexico border, according to authorities.

Three agents were on foot at about 1:30 a.m. about 7 miles east of Bisbee responding to a ground sensor that had triggered, said Carol Capas, a Cochise County Sheriff's Office spokesman.


Capas said the agents reported over the radio that they had come under fire as they were following a trail into the area. Earlier reports from authorities stated erroneously that they were on horseback.

When deputies arrived, one of the agents had died and another suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries, she said.

No suspects were in custody, and Capas she could provide any details on the shooters including how many there were, or what they were doing in the area.

The injured agent sustained non-life-threatening wounds and was flown to a hospital, according to Crystal Amarillas, a spokeswoman for the Tucson Sector Border Patrol.

George McCubbin, president of the National Border Patrol Council, a work union representing border agents called the National Border Patrol Council, said the injured agent had undergone surgery at the University of Arizona Medical Center and is doing well.

Border patrol has not identified the agents involved.

The shooting is being investigated by the FBI and the Cochise County Sheriff's Office. The deceased agent left behind a wife and two children, he said.

U.S. Rep. Ron Barber, who represents the eighth district, released a statement saying "This morning I spoke to Border Patrol leaders for the Tucson Sector to offer my condolences to the men and women of the Border Patrol. My thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and colleagues of the agent who today made the ultimate sacrifice for his country."

"This is a powerful reminder that our borders are far from secure and that every day the courageous men and women of the Border Patrol put their lives on the line while protecting the citizens of Arizona and the United States," the statement said. "We need to redouble our efforts to secure the border and ensure the safety of Border Patrol agents."

Beth Kempshall, state director of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a counter-narcotics entity, said the shootout occurred in "a traditional smuggling corridor for the Sinaloa Cartel."

Marc Denney, a Cochise County Sheriff's commander over the Border Alliance Group Task Force, said the shooting occurred in a known smuggling area. "Basically ambushed," he added. "It's rough terrain. Rocky and very hilly. A lot of low-lying brush."

Denney said law enforcement were swarming the area this morning, looking for suspects. "There's hope that we'll be able to track them," he said. "But there is enough of a gap that they may have had time to go south" across border into Mexico.

All three agents were assigned to the Brian Terry Station, Amarillas said. The station is located in Naco and was named in September in honor of a slain border patrol agent.

Terry, 40, was the last U.S. Border Patrol Agent killed on duty. He was shot in a shootout in December 2010 about 13 miles north of the border at Nogales.

Two guns found at the scene were bought by a member of a ring that was being monitored in the government's gun-smuggling investigation known as Operation Fast and Furious.

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that has led Congress' investigation of Fast and Furious, said the shooting is "a tragic reminder of the dangers the brave men and women who guard our borders face every day... Authorities must investigate the full circumstances of this shooting. I urge everyone to think of the families of these agents and avoid drawing conclusions before relevant facts are known."

The tragedy prompted immediate calls for increased enforcement from border security hawks.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the agents' families at this difficult time," said Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.. "Violence along Arizona's border cannot be tolerated by the federal government any longer. The federal government must commit the necessary resources to secure the border, because that's simply not happening right now."

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...#ixzz28AGlrvRx

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by Pittsie

Drug interdiction, whether by the border patrol, DEA, or cops, is obviously dangerous. Gangs/cartels/etc. are well armed and motivated to keep their businesses running by any means necessary. Persons who choose these professions understand the inherent danger.

But there is also an implicit understanding that their own government won't be arming said dangerous thugs. Once the DOJ breaks that trust all bets are off.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by Pittsie

Drug interdiction, whether by the border patrol, DEA, or cops, is obviously dangerous. Gangs/cartels/etc. are well armed and motivated to keep their businesses running by any means necessary. Persons who choose these professions understand the inherent danger.

It's a good thing there is an internet between you and a lot of people. I'd give good money to see you tell these people "you can be an adult about the inherent riskiness of the profession."

You've crossed the line from whining liberal to flat out punk.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by RaiderH8r

But there is also an implicit understanding that their own government won't be arming said dangerous thugs. Once the DOJ breaks that trust all bets are off.

Yep.


...During a news conference, FBI Special Agent in Charge James Turgal and other officials refused to discuss the shooting circumstances or whether guns and other evidence had been recovered. Turgal admonished one reporter for asking if investigators were looking at possible involvement of firearms from Fast and Furious. Officials spoke in somber tones that at times seemed to teeter on anger as they said the death of Ivie strengthened their determination to secure the border. They said they were working with Mexican law enforcement to solve the crime.

Politicians responded to Ivie's death with a flurry of news releases expressing sadness for the family and frustration with border violence.

"Arizonans and Americans will grieve, and they should," said Gov. Jan Brewer. "But this ought not only be a day of tears. There should be anger, too. Righteous anger -- at the kind of evil that causes sorrow this deep, and at the federal failure and political stalemate that has left our border unsecured."

"This is another tragic reminder of the violence along our southern border," said Rep. Ron Barber, D-Ariz., in whose district the shooting occurred. "My deepest prayers are with the family."

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...#ixzz28Fz5Zdhd

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Pittsie

It's cute you think there's a military solution for all problems.

I'm fairly certain that my cousin, who I was raised with like a brother, who served as a Ranger in the second Gulf War, who now works Border Patrol in Arizona, would appreciate the help. Would you like me to call him up and ask him if he'd like some military assistance? Or perhaps if he'd like it if somebody even gave a shit that he's being shot at?

[mikey23545]

Sounds like Hussein's core constituency is getting a little trigger happy with those Fast and Furious playthings...

[KC native]

Originally Posted by vailpass

It's a good thing there is an internet between you and a lot of people. I'd give good money to see you tell these people "you can be an adult about the inherent riskiness of the profession."

You've crossed the line from whining liberal to flat out punk.

You quite possibly the biggest pussy I've ever come across.

When they sign up for the job they know the risks. Hell some of them sign up because of the risks.

This comment ranks right up there with your fake confrontation with an illegal.

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by KC native

When they sign up for the job they know the risks. Hell some of them sign up because of the risks.

Yeah, but they're not stupid.

[qabbaan]

It's interesting to hear on this issue liberals saying "they knew the risks", but that argument (that service is voluntary) doesn't hold any traction with them when it comes to any other war.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by KC native

You quite possibly the biggest pussy I've ever come across.

When they sign up for the job they know the risks. Hell some of them sign up because of the risks.

This comment ranks right up there with your fake confrontation with an illegal.

When I want the opinion of a fat greasy loser I'll ask you.
Your last sentence must have me confused with someone else whose neighborhood you'd never be allowed to enter.

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by KC native

You quite possibly the biggest pussy I've ever come across.

When they sign up for the job they know the risks. Hell some of them sign up because of the risks.

This comment ranks right up there with your fake confrontation with an illegal.

Again, they didn't know they'd be fighting Mexican drug cartels AND the USA's own President, Barry Obama.

[vailpass]

Originally Posted by qabbaan

It's interesting to hear on this issue liberals saying "they knew the risks", but that argument (that service is voluntary) doesn't hold any traction with them when it comes to any other war.

It isn't interesting, it is disgusting. They are willing to minimize the deaths of border agents and ignore our border issues in order to deflect negative repercussions from their chosen political party.

[RaiderH8r]

Originally Posted by KC native

You quite possibly the biggest pussy I've ever come across.

When they sign up for the job they know the risks. Hell some of them sign up because of the risks.

This comment ranks right up there with your fake confrontation with an illegal.

When Mexicans die in the desert from exposure they pretty much deserve it then, right? I mean, they knew the risks going in.

[Pawnmower]

Originally Posted by fan4ever

...and do what? Legalize all drugs?

A start would be to examine the drug classing system and correct OBVIOUS mistakes (like placing marijuana on the same list as crack cocaine)

[KC native]

Originally Posted by RaiderH8r

When Mexicans die in the desert from exposure they pretty much deserve it then, right? I mean, they knew the risks going in.

Please point out where I said the border patrol agents deserved to die. What is it with right wingers and terrible analogies?

[KC native]

Originally Posted by qabbaan

It's interesting to hear on this issue liberals saying "they knew the risks", but that argument (that service is voluntary) doesn't hold any traction with them when it comes to any other war.

Strawman much?