Mexican gunmen again fire shots across boundary at El Paso Border Patrol agents

UPDATE, Aug. 10: EL PASO, Texas – For the second time in under a week, a U.S. Border Patrol agent in El Paso's Lower Valley has been shot at by Mexican gunmen firing from across the international boundary, the FBI confirmed Tuesday to ABC-7.

The latest incident happened in the early morning hours when an agent patrolling the area south of the Midway Drive exit from Loop 375 heard gunshots; he quickly exited his vehicle and moved behind cover.

Officials indicated at least five shots were fired, but the agent and his vehicle were not hit.

"This is the second incident involving shots being fired at U.S. Border Patrol Agents, from Mexico, in the Ysleta Station area of responsibility in the past week," Border Patrol said in a statement. "These attacks are a reminder that criminals will stop at nothing to further their illegal activities."

ORIGINAL REPORT, Aug. 9: EL PASO, Texas – The FBI is investigating an incident in which Mexican gunmen fired an estimated 20 shots across the Rio Grande at a U.S. Border Patrol agent in El Paso, federal authorities confirmed Monday.

The agent took cover and wasn't injured in last week's gunfire, which came on the heels of a sign hung from a Juárez pedestrian bridge last month in which smugglers threatened border agents; the sign read "bullets can also cross the river and the (border) wall."

Officials said the shooting took place Friday around 3 a.m. while the agent was patrolling in an area east of the Jonathan Rogers Water Treatment Plant in the Lower Valley; he heard gunshots and quickly drove his vehicle to cover.

"Camera operators confirmed the presence of two subjects with what appeared to be a rifle shooting north from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande River," the Border Patrol said in a statement. "Approximately 20 rounds were fired towards the agent from approximately 150 yards away. The two subjects were then observed entering a sedan on the Mexican side and fleeing the scene."

While authorities said none of the rounds struck the agent, it was unclear whether any bullets pierced the agent's vehicle.

Mexican law enforcement officers responded that morning to the reports of gunshots, but were unable to find the shooters. The FBI didn't comment on the status of its investigation into the case.

This isn't the first time Mexican gunmen have opened fire on U.S. agents from across the border. In August of 2019, 50 shots were fired from Mexican territory at border agents on a boat patrol in the Rio Grande Valley; while their boat was struck by bullets - no agents were hurt.