A hiker was brutally attacked by “suspected cartel members” while exploring the wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border in San Diego County, according to the U.S. Border Patrol's El Centro Sector.
The incident occurred around noon Wednesday when a group of Americans hiking in California's Jacumba Wilderness were brutally attacked by suspected cartel members near the border between San Diego and Imperial counties, authorities reported. I got shot.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told Fox News that two suspected cartel members armed with handguns were in the Jacumba area, about 1,000 yards into the United States, when they confronted two hikers in the group and yelled at them. I admitted that I started it. In Spanish.
Officials said the climbers did not understand, so the gunmen shouted “Come on!”
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A group of hikers attacked by “suspected cartel members” while exploring California's Jacumba Wilderness have been rescued. (U.S. Border Patrol El Centro Division)
At that point, the hikers turned away, fearing being kidnapped. The gunmen then fired two shots into the air.
When the hikers still did not respond, an alleged cartel member opened fire, hitting one of the hikers in the leg.
Officials said they were able to successfully rescue and evacuate the hikers and that all threats had been neutralized.
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The climber is expected to recover.
The Border Patrol confirmed that the area was filled with the elite Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) and marksmen.
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A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agent speaks with people on the Mexican side of the border wall at Border Field State Park in San Diego, California, U.S., November 28, 2018. Reuters/Chris Watty (Reuters/Chris Watty)
“These cartels believe they can bring war to American soil. Let this be a warning: El Centro Sector cannot sit idly by,” the agency said in a social media post. Ta.
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“The safety of our people is non-negotiable. There is no place in our country for cartel terrorists preying on innocent people. Enough is enough.”
Border Patrol officials are working to determine which cartel the insurgents belong to.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com.
