Border Patrol agent fatally shoots suspect east of San Diego
SAN DIEGO -- A Border Patrol agent shot and killed a rock-throwing suspect Tuesday morning in a mountainous area about 10 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, officials said.
The agent was hit in face with a rock thrown by an immigrant without legal status and then fired his gun, according to San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Glenn Giannantonio.
The agent feared for his life, Giannantonio said. Two agents were attempting to apprehend a group of immigrants crossing illegally, he said, when the incident occured.
The agent was not seriously hurt. Two immigrants without legal status have been detained in connection with the case, authorities said.
Authorities said the incident occurred about 6:40 a.m. in the Otay Mesa region east of San Diego, a gathering spot for those crossing illegally into the United States.
tony.perry@latimes.com
Twitter: @LATsandiego
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