Mexican Border Guard Slain by Fleeing Bandits
A Mexican immigration agent was fatally wounded at the San Ysidro border crossing Monday evening during an exchange of gunfire with two robbery suspects, according to police.
Gullermo Diaz Orendain, 57, was taken by Life Flight helicopter to UC San Diego Medical Center with gunshot wounds to the face and neck. He died during surgery about 9 p.m.
The suspects, identified as Ruben Gonzalez and Mario Gonzalez, are in the custody of Mexican police, a spokeswoman said.
The two are believed to have robbed a San Ysidro convenience store and were attempting to flee across the border into Mexico, the spokeswoman said.
An off-duty San Diego police officer saw two men get into a stolen car on Coronado Avenue. The officer chased the car to the border, where Mexican officials attempted to block its entry into the country.
Gunfire was exchanged between Mexican officials and the suspects, the spokeswoman said, and Diaz Orendain was hit.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
