Illegal Migrant Falls to his Death Trying to Scale Border Wall

SAN YSIDRO – On Feb. 3, 2023, at approximately 10:57 p.m., a Minnesota National Guardsman, assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol and working as a camera operator, spotted a group of suspected undocumented migrants scaling the International Border Barrier, approximately 2.5 miles east of the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

The camera operator transmitted the information via radio to Border Patrol agents in the area. An agent responded to the area to interdict the migrants at approximately 10:58 p.m.. The agent observed one of the migrants, later identified as an illegal immigrant male citizen of Mexico, using a ladder to scale the secondary border barrier. A short time later, the agent reportedly heard the sound of something hitting the ground. While south of the secondary barrier, at approximately 11 p.m., the agent observed the man lying on the ground on the north side of the secondary barrier.

Another agent arrived on the north side of the secondary barrier at approximately 11:01 p.m. and immediately requested emergency medical services while broadcasting via agency radio that the man suffered a severe head wound, was unconscious, not breathing, and did not have a pulse. The agent initiated life-saving efforts and performed chest compressions until EMS arrived.

San Diego Fire Department and Faulk EMS arrived at the scene at approximately 11:12 p.m. and attached an electrocardiogram meter on the man which confirmed he did not have a pulse. EMS personnel declared him deceased at approximately 11:15 p.m.

This incident is being investigated by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office and reviewed by Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was notified.