Border Patrol shooting update

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COCHISE COUNTY- On Monday January 4, 2010 at approximately 8:30 am, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office was advised of a shooting that had occurred in the area of "D" Hill just outside of Douglas.

The United States Border Patrol advised that they just had an officer involved shooting at that location and one male subject was receiving medical attention.

Sheriff's Deputies and Detectives responded and are conducting a joint investigation with the US Border Patrol Critical Incident Team.

The initial investigation reveals that US Border Patrol agents were in the area of Bay Acres northeast of Douglas tracking several suspected illegal immigrants.

Border Patrol agents tracked three subjects back toward "D" Hill east of Douglas. Agents lost sight of these subjects before being advised by a citizen that there was a Hispanic male subject, possibly an illegal immigrant, walking south from the area.

A Border Patrol K-9 unit subsequently tracked the subject who was hiding under a tree and when the male refused to come out from beneath the tree a struggle ensued. The male subject threw rocks, assaulting both the agent and the canine.

The subject fled the area and several Border Patrol agents were in foot pursuit with the subject prior to him aggressively throwing more rocks while refusing commands to stop.

A Border Patrol agent fired two shots at the subject when he attempted to further assault the agent.

Border Patrol agents called for medical assistance while providing immediate first aid to the injured male.

One Border Patrol agent was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries sustained during this incident and the canine was treated by a local veterinarian also for treatment for injuries from being struck with a rock.

The male subject was identified as being a 28 year old illegal immigrant from an unknown region of Mexico.

The male subject died while in transport via air ambulance to a Tucson hospital.

The Mexican Consulate is assisting the Sheriff's Office in the attempt to locate and notify next of kin.