Bishop Evans, Texas soldier who died saving migrants, to be laid to rest
Evans died seeking to rescue two migrants; his body was found days later
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A funeral service will be held Saturday for Bishop Evans, the Texas National Guard member who was found dead after trying to rescue two migrants from drowning.
Evans, 22, went missing near Eagle Pass, Texas, after trying to save migrants drowning as they crossed the river into the United States from Mexico. Both migrants survived, but Evans' body was found several days. Evans was not properly equipped for a water rescue at the time, according to a report.
BODY OF MISSING TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIER FOUND
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In a previous statement to Fox News, the Texas Military Department said Texas Rangers have determined from initial reports that the two migrants Evans tried to rescue "were involved in illicit transnational narcotics trafficking."
The soldier is identified as 22-year-old Bishop E. Evans who was from Arlington, Texas. (Courtesy of Evans' Family)
Texas Army National Guard Specialist Bishop E. Evans' body was recovered near Eagle Pass, Texas. (Bill Melugin/Fox News)
Evans' death has brought an outpouring of grief and salutes to his courage from Texas and national officials.
BRANDON JUDD ON DEATH OF TEXAS SOLDIER AT BORDER: ‘THIS DIDN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN'
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The story has also underscored the humanitarian crisis at the border and the conflation of drug and national security issues at play there.
Fox News' David Rutz contributed to this report.