3 border agents shot at in 2 weeks

Arizona Daily Star ^ | October 5, 2002 | Tim Steller

[Selmo]

Three U.S. Border Patrol agents have reported being shot at in separate incidents west of Tucson since Sept. 23.

Only once did an agent return fire, agency spokesman Ryan Scudder said. No agents were injured, and it was unclear whether anyone was struck by the agent's gunfire.

In the first incident, about 2 a.m. on Sept. 23, an agent was driving west along the border, about a mile east of San Miguel Gate, when he heard three shots fired from the Mexican side of the border, Scudder said. One round struck the left rear side of the agent's marked Chevrolet Tahoe.

The agent left the area and did not return fire, Scudder said. The agent did not see any people or vehicles in the area where the shots originated.

San Miguel Gate is a popular but informal border crossing on the Tohono O'odham Nation, about 30 miles south of Sells and 65 miles southwest of Tucson.

At about 4 p.m. on Sept. 26, an agent was driving south toward Serapo Gate, another informal crossing on the reservation, about 20 miles west of San Miguel Gate. Another vehicle going south passed the agent, and someone fired at the agent as that vehicle passed, Scudder said.

That agent returned fire, but it was unclear whether he struck the vehicle or anyone inside, said Scudder, who did not have a vehicle description.

About 3 a.m. Tuesday, an agent working on foot had just discovered a group of border crossers in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument when he heard a gunshot, Scudder said. The agent also said he heard a bullet ricochet off a rock.

Agents searched for eight hours but could not find evidence of the bullet or the shooter, Scudder said.

The three incidents were the latest in a series of gunfire attacks on agents in Southern Arizona this year. Tucson Sector agents reported being fired on at least seven times in the fiscal year that ended Monday, Scudder said.

In March, a drug smuggler fleeing back to Mexico fired repeatedly on agents near Naco.

In May, an agent working near Papago Farms, about 100 miles southwest of Tucson, reported being fired on by Mexican soldiers driving a Humvee.

In July, an agent working in the same area reported being chased and fired on by men in a pickup, and returning fire. No one is known to have been hit in any of these three incidents.

But in August, a man believed to be a drug smuggler shot and killed National Park Service Ranger Kris Eggle as he worked alongside Border Patrol agents in Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. In that case, Eggle's killer, Panfilo Murillo Aguila, was then shot to death by Mexican officers on their side of the border.

Edward "Bud" Tuffly, the president of the agents union in Southern Arizona, said agents are wondering whether there will be a response to the shootings.

"If something is being done, they're not being told about it," Tuffly said. "That has a demoralizing effect on the agents."

[RAWGUY]

Great idea my friend...please consider the following:

Air drop land mines the full extent of the border and make this known. Then maintain it on a regular basis in the areas of activity. We will not need 10,000 troops but only about 1000 true hunter/killer types in squads of five that are mobile and are ready to hunt and kill and like it.*S* They should recieve bonuses for every kill made as an incentive. They should also recieve extra bonuses for every coyote on this side that they kill. Mangaged by a very hungry for action Marine is a very good idea and he should have the authority to police and even execute anyone of his own forces that are found to take payola. What are your thoughts on this?

[MissAmericanPie]

Let's don't give them a choice.

[RLK]

I like your attitude.

[RLK]

PRESIDENT BUSH, GET OFF YOUR ASS AND PROTECT AMERICA'S BORDERS!!!

--------------------------

Not necessary. Bush and Fox are planning on moving the border north of California ans north of Texas to end the problem.

[marron]

It is time to begin using National Guard units to patrol troublesome portions of the border.

There are specific areas where Mexican soldiers are crossing for who-knows-what-purpose, specific areas where illegals are dying in the desert, and specific areas where criminals are crossing to commit crimes, and then escaping through the fence.

In each of these cases, the Border Patrol is insufficient to the task. They are outgunned by the soldiers, and the illegals are dying in areas too rugged to be patrolled by pickup trucks.

National Guard patrols can be ordered by the governor, without any big production. It can be explained to the press as a humanitarian effort, where it is.

In the case of the renegade Mexican soldiers, who have already killed one Border agent and have attacked others, this requires a different approach. There are Ranger and Special Forces National Guard units. These should be deployed in the trouble areas, on both sides of the border. The renegade soldiers come from specific units, led by specific officers, who have names. And addresses. They should be dealt with quietly, and no word of it should ever be spoken publicly.

[janetgreen]

Securing our borders and our sovereignty is not part of the Republican agenda. Not in their plan.......

And for that reason, millions of Americans will not vote Republican in '04. I will vote third party. Those of us who supported Bush have been made fools of because of his inability to cut the umbilical cord with Mexico.

[Risa]

"He's envisioning the big Pan-American Union."

FreedomFriend....

Even though I voted for him and have traditionally supported the republican platform, I do not believe this is about George Bush's political philosophy.

I personally think he hasn't the depth of intellect to even possess a well thought out political philosophy. Afterall, before he was elected, he stated with sniggering pride that he had never bothered to read the international news.

I believe he is catering to his big corporate buddies who desire cheap labor (and god knows what his deal with Mexico's Fox is all about).

Whatever he is; he deceived the American people who elected him into office. He certainly didn't espouse the view that he wanted a free flow of people into the US from Mexico when he campaigned. No one would have voted for him (except the minority interest groups he caters to.)

Who would ever have thought that he'd ignore the pleas for help from the border patrol, abandoning them to a hopeless situation and possible death, or that he'd ignore the pleas of help from the American citizens who live in those areas and fear stepping outside at night, because they may be shot by armed foreign nationals, smuggling mexicans and drugs?

We need a new GOP candidate for 2004. Tom Tancredo seems to me our only hope for maintaining the sovereignity of our nation and the liberal democracy that has served us so well for more than 200 years.

Just some thoughts.
risa

[FreedomFriend]

ping

[FreedomFriend]

It's an act.

Bush knows what he is doing. He's not stupid.

This is about Globalism. I'm pretty sure about that. "Free Trade", the free flow of goods and peoples across boundaries, the "trade of the Americas", a "Pax Americana", and later an Americas styled currency.

Time will tell if things go in America's favor, but I wouldn't count on it.

[danmar]

...wuss, just shoot the mother!

[FreedomFriend]

Janet, they're good buddies. Senor, Vicente and his buddy Bush have "plans".

[Texas_Jarhead]

I'll second that motion with the addition of claymores

[alphadog]

"I'd like to tell you what I really think, but JimRob and his BushBots would turn me in."

I'll say it...Bush is a RINO

[Risa]

B4Ranch,

Thanks for an enlightening read...and how awful,just awful, and to save 2 billion dollars.

Is freedom not worth 2 billion dollars?

risa

[RAWGUY]

Oh Yeah..I forgot to say something...My Father (Sgt. "Big RED ONE" WWII) taught me to fire weapons and to hunt as well. We are all from TN. and hunting was a way of life for us. He taught my Brothers and I how to use weapons and how to hunt and sent us out to do that very thing,(I was about 10 years old at the time). He would give us a whole box of rounds for every time that we would return with game for every round spent. One shot for one kill was the reward and I never had to buy my own rounds while this rule was in effect. I still have some of those rounds for sentimental reasons.*S* If you looking for recruits you may want to consider this...let me know your thoughts and please know that I do like the way you think about this growing problem....GOD Bless.

[SwordofTruth]

PRESIDENT BUSH, GET OFF YOUR ASS AND PROTECT AMERICA'S BORDERS!!!

When the next terrorist strike occurs, what will the federal government's excuse be for not guarding our borders better?

It's not hard to understand how Clinton became president when one sees how stupid and gullible the average American has become. Maybe America is getting the government that it deserves. Self-destruction is a great waste.

A country without God, is a country without hope.

[Risa]

FreedomFriend...

"It's an act."

oh.

geeze, what an ass I am. I fell for it.

And all along I've been puzzled by his seeming ability to function in his position with what seemed to be a CroMagnon brain.

risa

[philetus]

Thanks for the ping.
We got aliens flooding into our country,clogging and bankrupting our schools and hospitals.
Getting preferencial treatment from gov. agencies who are breaking the law to do it.
Our border guards are being shot at by illigals and drug runners.Won't be long til they start killing some.
The situation is so bad that troops should have already been on the borders.
We now have people committing acts of war against the U.S.

The pols in DC and the people who pull the pols strings don't give a damn about "the people".
They have their own agenda and were just in their way.
Their just playing their"game that never ends".

I'd be willing to bet Tancredo had to draw straws with a couple others to see who had to play the part he's playing now. I think their using this to see how much flak they get if they don't deport the kid. If this flies without too bad of a sh%t storm, you know whats next.Wholesale.

Well, that's my rant for the day.

I guess I shouldn't worry. I know the republican pols are going to clean it all up and the democrats are going to stay out of the way and let them do it.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[4Freedom]

"Since when do Americans tolerate acts of war perpetrated by Mexicans or any other nationals against American citizens?"

When it's an election year and there's a bunch of RINOs running (stampeding) for office?

Do I win?