Report: Border Patrol Agents Ambushed, Stoned with Rocks

VAN HORN, TX — U.S. Border Patrol Agent Rogelio Martinez and another agent were tracking a group of illegal aliens and were ambushed and beaten with stones, National Border Patrol Council President and Border Patrol Agent Brandon Judd told Breitbart Texas.

The Customs and Border Protection stated that Agent Martinez, 36, of El Paso was killed. His partner, who is not named by CBP, is in critical condition in a nearby hospital.

“What we know is that Border Patrol Agent Rogilio Martinez appears to have been ambushed by a group of illegal aliens whom he was tracking. Our agents’ reports from the ground say that he was struck in the head multiple times with a rock or rocks,” Breitbart Texas reported Judd said.

Judd’s description of the crime, as reported by Breitbart, coincides with a CBS News report that one agent was alone in his vehicle responding to a tripped alarm. He called for backup and the second agent arrived in his own vehicle.

Judd said both were ambushed.

““The other agent arrived on scene a short time later and was also ambushed and struck in the head with what is believed to have been a rock or rocks,” Judd told Breitbart Texas. 

The original story:

VAN HORN, TX — A Customs and Border Patrol agent was killed in what the CBP called the “line of duty.” According to an official statement from the CBP, the partner of the killed agent is in serious condition in a local hospital.

The agent killed was identified Rogelio Martinez, 36, of El Paso. He had served in the CBP as an agent since August 2013.

The incident happened Sunday morning in the Big Bend Sector. The CBP reported the two agents were on patrol near Interstate 10 in the Van Horn Station area. According to CBP’s website, the Van Horn Station is staffed by five officers and is used to patrol all of Culberson County, and a portion of Presidio and Jeff Davis Counties. The CBP Station is located on the east side of Sierra Blanca. A CBP checkpoint is located four miles west of Sierra Blanca on Interstate 10.

The incident happened along Interstate 10 in Culberson County where the sheriff there secured the scene where the agents were injured. CBP stated that their Special Ops Agents and Air and Marine Operation of searching the area for potential suspects and witnesses. The Associated Press reported Sunday afternoon that the FBI is now leading the investigation.

The general location of the incident:

President Donald Trump tweeted Sunday evening, “Border Patrol Officer killed at Southern Border, another badly hurt. We will seek out and bring to justice those responsible. We will, and must, build the Wall!”

Sen. Ted Cruz, the junior senator from Texas, issued a statement Sunday afternoon.

“Our condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends of Border Patrol Agent Rogelio Martinez, who was killed this morning in the line of duty. We are also praying for the full recovery of his partner, who was also attacked.

“This is a stark reminder of the ongoing threat that an unsecure border poses to the safety of our communities and those charged with defending them. We are grateful for the courage and sacrifice of our border agents who have dedicated their lives to keeping us safe. I remain fully committed to working with the Border Patrol to provide them with all the resources they need to safeguard our nation,” Cruz stated.

The New York Times keyed in on Cruz’s words, where he stated the agents were attacked.

CBS News reported Sunday night that one agent responded to a location where an alarm went off. He was in a single vehicle. He called in backup, who arrived in his own vehicle. “Officials have not yet established why an alarm was triggered or what transpired in the attack,” CBS reported.

Congressman Will Hurd represents Culberson County. He released a statement Sunday as well.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of Border Patrol Agent Rogelio Martinez, who was fatally injured in Van Horn. Praying for a full recovery for his partner, who is currently in serious condition. The men and women of our Border Patrol have an incredibly dangerous and demanding job and they are our most important resource to securing our border,” Hurd stated.

Where to follow this story:

Fox 14 (El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico) has a Twitter account for their photographers. They were at the scene of the investigation before sundown and took photos of FBI agents. Follow @KFOX14Photoags on Twitter.

Texas Public Radio added that Martinez is survived by a son. According to Martinez’s Facebook page, he has been engaged to be married since May.

CBS7 out of Midland had a news crew at the scene this afternoon. They provided the cover photo above.

Marfa Public Radio reports from that part of West Texas.