HARGILL, Texas

Father, two teen sons shoot U.S. agent parked next door

A father and two sons shot at a federal immigration agent parked outside their home along the Texas border last week because they were afraid someone was going to break in, a relative told a newspaper.

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent Kelton Harrison was shot in the back early Tuesday when, prosecutors said, Pedro Alvarado and his sons, ages 18 and 16, fired at Harrison’s vehicle and chased the agent as he sped away.

Prosecutors said Harrison had been watching for an anticipated drug deal. His condition is improving.

Amparo Ramirez, the family matriarch, told the San Antonio Express-News that Harrison was parked on the next-door property and that no attempt was made to notify homeowners of surveillance activity.

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“They thought it was somebody breaking in,” she said. “The ICE didn’t identify itself.”

Alvarado, 41, and his 18-year-old son, Arnoldo Alvarado, are charged with assault of a federal officer and knowingly using and carrying a firearm during a violent crime. His younger son, whose identity is being withheld because of his age, has been charged with attempted capital murder in a state district court.

According to the criminal complaint, Arnoldo Alvarado told authorities that his father spotted what he considered a suspicious vehicle and told him and the other teen “to get the guns.”

Alvarado and his sons remain in custody pending detention hearings.

SAN ANTONIO

Border Patrol opens fire after rocks are thrown

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U.S. Border Patrol agents opened fire Saturday along the Rio Grande on the Texas-Mexico border after being pelted by rocks and having a gunman point a weapon in their direction on the Mexican side of the river, an agency spokesman said.

Spokesman Henry Mendiola said no Border Patrol agents were injured in the incident near Brownsville. He didn’t know if anyone else was hurt.

Mendiola said that the Mexican government had been notified and was responding to the area. The FBI also was investigating.

The Border Patrol released few details about the morning gunfire, including what the suspects were doing on the river.

Mendiola said several people had been taken into custody but that he could not provide details about the suspects or charges they face. 

— From news service reports

 


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