Mexico demands probe into killing of rock-throwing migrant by U.S. Border Patrol agent

Mexico demands probe into killing of rock-throwing migrant by U.S. Border Patrol agent

2011-06-23 07:23:23 GMT+7 (ICT)

TIJUANA, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) -- A Mexican national was shot dead by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on Tuesday night on the Mexican side of the Tijuana, Baja California-San Diego, California border, officials said Wednesday.

Mexico's Foreign Affairs office (SRE) said the victim's body was found on national territory, strongly condemning the death and demanding a thorough investigation.

"Through the General Consulate in San Diego, we demand that U.S. Border Patrol agents offer a detailed explanation of the incident and a thorough investigation," the SRE stated, adding that the Embassy of Mexico in Washington and government offices in Mexico City have also demanded explanations through their corresponding diplomatic channels.

The victim was identified by local authorities in Tijuana as Jose Alfredo Yanez Reyes, 40, who received a fatal gun shot wound to his left eye and another to his body before dying on Mexican territory.

According to reports, U.S. Border Patrol agents discovered three people trying to enter the U.S. illegally by jumping the border fence. However, two of the men were able to escape and return to the Mexican side while agents tried to detain them.

While the third man tried fighting off U.S. Border Patrol agents, the other two, among them Yanez, threw stones and a piece of wood with nails attached to it against the agents. One of the agents, who has remained unnamed, then shot and killed Yanez.

On December 15, 2010, Mexico and the United States agreed to prevent violence on both sides of the border area. In this context, the SRE reiterated that the use of firearms in response to attacks with stones - which is what apparently occurred in this recent incident according to preliminary investigations - represents a disproportionate use of force.

The government of Mexico also said that it would assist the family through the situation, including legal support if needed.

Mexican President Felipe Calderon, meanwhile, stated in Guatemala, that he had expressed his complaint to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding the incident, demanding punishment for the culprits.

In June 2010, a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot 14-year-old Sergio Adrian Hernandez Guereca from Mexico, who was hurling rocks at the agent at the Juarez, Chihuahua-El Paso, Texas border area. According to authorities, the agent opened fire from U.S. territory.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-23