By Jason Hanna and Keith Allen, CNN
A US Border Patrol agent was shot Tuesday morning in southern Arizona near the border with Mexico, and several people in the area were taken into custody, federal authorities said.
The agent was taken to a hospital for treatment after being shot around 4:30 a.m. south of Arivaca, about 10 miles north of the Mexican border, US Customs and Border Protection said.
(Learn More. A United States Border Patrol agent was shot in Arizona on Tuesday morning. Courtesy of ABC15 Arizona and YouTube. Posted on Jun 12, 2018.)
Details about the agent’s condition or what led to the shooting weren’t immediately released.
The shooting occurred in an area that is part of a 50,000-acre ranch, said Jim Chilton, owner of the vast property.
(Courtesy of Tucson News Now and Facebook. Posted on Jun 12, 2018)
He said Mexican drug cartels smuggle drugs and people through the area, and there is only a cattle fence covering 25 miles along the Arizona-Mexico border that touches his ranch.
Tucson Sector #USBP agent was shot this morning south of Arivaca, Arizona and transported to an area hospital for treatment. Several subjects in the area were taken into custody. Updates will be provided as information becomes available to @CBP. #HonorFirst pic.twitter.com/hnJlIUe1sO
— CBP Arizona (@CBPArizona) June 12, 2018
The closest Border Patrol station is 80 miles away, according to Chilton, and cartel lookouts can easily spot agents approaching.
Chilton said the shooting took place 6 or 7 miles from his ranch house.
“Several subjects in the area were taken into custody,” Customs and Border Protection’s Arizona Twitter account said.
The agency said it and the FBI are investigating the shooting.
Original post https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/12/us/arizona-border-patrol-agent-shot/index.html
