Thaindian News

JUAREZ, MEXICO (BNO NEWS) – A Border Patrol officer allegedly killed a 14-year-old Mexican who was playing in the mud under the international bridge between Juarez, Chihuahua and El Paso, Texas, local media said Tuesday.

Sergio Adrian Hernandez Huereca, 14, a junior high school student from Juarez, was reportedly shot in the head as he was playing with three other boys under the Paso del Norte International Bridge, which divides Juarez and El Paso.

The El Diario de Juarez newspaper reported that according to several witnesses who requested to remain unidentified, the four boys were walking along the bridge before they began playing in the mud. The boys were around the half point of the Rio Grande when “an officer on a bicycle wearing a shirt and a white helmet” yelled at them before opening fire.

Another eyewitness said, “I was at the flagpole on the bridge waiting for my wife, and I suddenly saw the boys entering the American side. Immigration agents chased them, as they returned back. The boys were on the Mexican side, and an immigration officer or a police officer on a bicycle shot at the boys.”

At that moment, the eyewitness continued, the boys began running everywhere, as Hernandez Huereca hid himself behind a pillar under the bridge. He peaked his head out to see if the agents were still there, and it was then, when several shots were fired. One of them hit Hernandez Huereca’s head.

Ramiro Cordero, spokesperson for the El Paso Border Patrol, confirmed that shots were fired, but he also explained that the FBI was taking over the investigation, as FBI agents arrived at the scene shortly after the incident.

Cordero continued to explain that Border Patrol agents may open fire under three circumstances: when an aggressor either has an opportunity, an intention, or a probability of causing harm to an agent. He also stated that he is unaware if an agent is allowed to shoot at someone outside the U.S. borderline.

Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs condemned the shooting, and said it will demand a U.S. probe into boy’s death. It also expressed that the use of firearms to fight rock-throwing represents an unnecessary use of force, especially from specially trained officials.

FBI spokesperson, Andrea Simmons, said that on Monday, at around 6:45 p.m., local time, “at least one Border Patrol agent” fired his weapon against someone. “We will for search for all evidence in this case,” Simmons added.