Border Patrol Agent Shot To Death In California

CAMPO, Calif. (AP) – The U.S. Border Patrol says one of its agents has been killed in Southern California while tracking suspected illegal immigrants or drug smugglers.

He was identified by Homeland Security Friday as Robert Rosas. Agency spokesman Daryl Reed says Rosas spotted a suspicious group in the remote Campo area near the Mexican border Thursday night and called for backup.

When the suspicious group split up, Rosas went after some suspects by himself. Other agents lost radio contact with him.

Around 9 p.m., they heard gunshots and found the agent, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department says he was shot in the head.

A search on both sides of the border failed to find anyone.

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Information from: The San Diego Union-Tribune. www.signonsandiego.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)