Coast Guard Crew Responds to Gunfire at Texas-Mexico Border
A U.S. Coast Guard riverine boat crew patrolling the Texas-Mexico border was fired upon by suspected Mexican cartel members on Saturday. This unprovoked attack led to a swift response from federal forces, with the Guardsmen returning fire and effectively neutralizing the threat without sustaining any injuries.
According to a statement from Coast Guard spokesperson Lt. Commander Rachel Ault, the incident occurred on September 26 while the crew was operating a small boat along the Rio Grande near Garceno, Texas. They were working closely with federal agencies, likely including U.S. Border Patrol, when the gunfire erupted from across the river.
The Coast Guard crew was engaged in joint interdiction operations in the Tamaulipas border sector when they came under fire.
“No injuries were reported among Coast Guard personnel or other federal agents, nor was there any damage to Coast Guard equipment,” Ault stated. She emphasized that federal authorities take threats against military and law enforcement personnel very seriously, and an investigation is currently ongoing.
Reports indicate that the Coast Guard crew was conducting a routine patrol when they faced this unexpected assault.
NewsNation national correspondent Ali Bradley was among the first to report on the shooting incident, which quickly garnered attention on social media. Following the attack, a source within the Department of Homeland Security mentioned that U.S. Army troops, previously assigned to border operations in West Texas, are anticipated to be deployed to the Rio Grande Valley. This deployment is a precautionary measure for force protection, with troops expected to remain stationed in the area for at least a month. However, details regarding the size and exact duration of the deployment are not currently disclosed for security reasons.
A DHS spokesperson provided a statement about the Coast Guard’s collaborative efforts: “The Coast Guard works closely with U.S. Border Patrol, the Department of War, and the Texas Military Division to secure the border, disrupt illicit activity, and protect the American public. We will continue to employ a layered, integrated approach to safeguard our borders and enhance our ability to counter illegal activities.”
Inquiries made to the Joint Task Force Southern Border regarding the deployment’s specifics have not yet received a response.
Gunfire originating from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande is not an unusual occurrence. Back in June 2014, incidents of U.S. law enforcement being targeted near Rincon Village were reported. More recently, there have been accounts of Mexican cartel gunmen firing at Border Patrol agents involved in aerial surveillance operations.
