A tragic incident occurred earlier this month near the California-Mexico border when a man was fatally shot by a border patrol marksman. The reason behind the shooting, as revealed by federal officials, was that the man was threatening migrants with a firearm.

According to the U.S Customs and Border Protection, the shooting took place on March 3 near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry border checkpoint. A border patrol tactical unit had been set up in response to reports of armed robberies and assaults targeting migrants attempting to cross into the U.S. The agents were in a concealed position when they witnessed the armed man threatening a group of migrants by loading a firearm and pointing it at them. In response, a border patrol precision marksman fired one shot at the man, fatally striking him. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported in the incident.

The identity of the 32-year-old Mexican citizen who was killed has not been publicly disclosed. Authorities recovered a handgun near the deceased man, corroborating the reports of him being armed. While a border patrol union leader initially described the incident as a “gun battle,” federal officials clarified that only one shot was fired.

Witnesses at the scene confirmed the events as described by the border agents, stating that the armed man, accompanied by at least three others, had demanded money from the migrants. Despite prompt medical assistance, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office has yet to release the autopsy results.

Currently, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the FBI, and the border patrol’s Office of Professional Responsibility are conducting an ongoing investigation into the incident. Although U.S. Customs and Border Protection has not publicly released video footage of the shooting, they have expressed their commitment to sharing the body-worn camera footage once it is deemed appropriate and without hindering the ongoing investigations.

This tragic event serves as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by migrants and the challenges confronted by border patrol agents in ensuring the safety and security of the border region. As more details emerge from the investigation, it is essential for authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent review of the circumstances surrounding the shooting to provide clarity and closure to all those involved.