(AP) CAMPO, Calif. - A California fire official says a Border Patrol agent has been shot to death in the Campo area in San Diego County.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Battalion Chief Nick Schuler says the agent was pronounced dead at the scene at about 9:15 p.m. Thursday near the US-Mexico border on Shockey Truck Trail.
It's not known if the agent was on duty at the time.
FBI Special Agent Darrell Foxworth says the FBI is investigating, along with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department and Border Patrol.
Release Date: July 24, 2009
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of one of our own. Agent Robert Rosas was gunned down while protecting our nation s Southwest border. This act of violence will not stand nor will any act of violence against the Border Patrol. I have directed that the full resources of the Department assist in the investigation to find and bring to justice those responsible for this inexcusable crime.
My thoughts and condolences are with Agent Rosas family and his fellow agents at this difficult time. I want to commend those in the law enforcement and first responder community in Southern California for so quickly responding to the scene and attempting to save Agent Rosas life. His death is a vivid reminder that we are engaged in a serious effort to secure our border and that thousands of Border Patrol agents and other DHS employees risk their lives every single day to protect and defend our nation.