An individual armed with tactical gear and a rifle attacked Border Patrol agents when they arrived at a Border Patrol annex in McAllen, Texas, located in the Rio Grande Valley, on Monday, according to law enforcement sources.
The agents, along with local police, returned fire and eliminated the gunman. No federal agents were injured, but a McAllen police officer was hit. Law enforcement sources report that the officer is in stable condition.
“This morning, an assailant opened fire at the entrance of the United States Border Patrol sector annex in McAllen, Texas. Both Border Patrol agents and local police collaborated to neutralize the shooter,” the Department of Homeland Security stated to Fox News. “This investigation is ongoing and managed by the FBI. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.”
Law enforcement believes the attack was a purposeful ambush targeting Border Patrol officials. Local police say they will hold a news conference on the attack later Monday.
When the officer tried making contact with the person, shots were fired and the officer was struck in the neck.
The officer was flown to a Fort Worth hospital for treatment and was later released.
Several armed suspects fled but were arrested with the help of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office and other authorities, the news station reported.
