Rancher Reportedly Shoots Men, Drives Them To Get Treatment

A Hudspeth County rancher shot two men he said trespassed on his property Wednesday, according to Hudspeth County Sheriff’s officials.

Investigators said the shooting happened a little before noon at a ranch about 20 to 30 miles from the U.S./Mexico border.

Hudspeth Sheriff’s sergeant Keith Hughes told ABC-7 following the shooting, the unidentified rancher drove the men to the Fabens Fire Department about 20 miles away.

The men were taken to the hospital. One of them remained in critical condition, the other in stable condition, according to Hughes.

The sergeant said shootings like this are uncommon.

“This is maybe the second in the last four years,” he said.

While the shooting may be rare, Hudspeth resident George Brenzovich said trespassing happens all the time. He said that’s why he and his wife carry firearms.

“You can’t run inside to get a gun if you need it,” Brenzovich told ABC-7. “It needs to be on you and available.”

Living within view of a 14-mile gap in the border fence along the Rio Grande, he showed ABC-7 a photo of U.S. Border Patrol agents apprehending a man on his property.

Investigators have not said whether the men shot Wednesday were in the country illegally.

Brenzovich said with law enforcement stretched thin in the area, neighbors have a written pact to help each other.

“We felt so strongly about it, we put it in writing,” he said. “We can’t count on anybody else out here.”

According to the Texas penal code, a person can use force to protect their property if the law deems it necessary.

Hudspeth officials said the rancher involved in Wednesday’s shooting has not been charged.