Mexican cartel leaders allegedly attacked U.S. Border Patrol agents along the San Diego area after one of their members was run over by an operative, according to a new report.
Officials said Thursday that retaliatory shootings could occur in the coming days after a Nov. 27 incident in which a Border Patrol agent struck a suspect with an SUV while responding to an attempted illegal entry went viral. He issued a warning that there was sex. NewsNation coverage.
“According to information, it appears that cartel members were involved in the incident. Cartel leaders are therefore furious, claiming that the incident occurred without reason or remorse,” the memo said. .
“According to information received, shootings may occur in the coming days. All agents, regardless of mission assignment, must remain vigilant,” it added.
The incident, which was at the center of cartel outrage, showed six people near a fence along the San Diego border after illegally entering the United States.
As Border Patrol agents rushed to the scene in SUVs, the men were seen fleeing on foot or attempting to scale the fence, with one man briefly frozen in the street.
The vehicle then rapidly approached and struck the man, knocking him several feet away. The suspect quickly recovered, joined three other people who were waiting, and attempted to flee by leading them up a steep slope.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed in a statement that two people were arrested at the San Ysidro port of entry during a “human smuggling incident,” including a man who was hit by a car. It was not made clear whether or not.
Border Patrol officials claimed that the agent who was driving the car, who did not want to be named, was clinging to two people climbing a wall when he hit the man who was frozen on the road.
The shocking video drew initial condemnation from human rights groups, who accused Border Patrol agents of allegedly using their vehicles to intentionally hit suspects.
This incident is currently being investigated by the U.S. Attorney's Office and CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility.
Tensions at the San Diego-Mexico border escalate after the Sinaloa Cartel ordered its members to open fire on Border Patrol agents in West Texas over the arrest of co-founder Ismael El Mayo Zambada. It happened just two months later.
The Sinaloa Cartel, led by Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzman, is accused of opening fire on contractors working along Eagle Pass, Texas, on October 7th.
