Mexico Accuses Border Patrol of Shooting Underage Mexican

NOGALES, AZ - JUNE 02: A fence separates the cities of Nogales, Arizona (L) and Nogales, Sonora Mexico, a frequent crossing point for people entering the United States illegally, June 2, 2010 in Nogales, Arizona. During the 2009 fiscal year 540,865 undocumented immigrants were apprehended entering the United States illegally along the Mexican border, 241,000 of those were captured in the 262 mile stretch of the border known as the Tucson Sector. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) (2010 Getty Images)

SAN ANTONIO – An FBI investigation has been launched on the U.S. border with Mexico regarding the possible connection between two incidents that may have resulted in the death of an underage Mexican citizen.

On Saturday, U.S. Border Patrol agents reportedly opened fire along the Rio Grande after being pelted by rocks and having a gunman point a weapon in their direction. On Sunday, Mexico confirmed and condemned the fatal shooting of a Mexican citizen on the Mexican side of the border on Saturday as well.

Mexico's Foreign Relations Ministry confirmed and condemned the death of a victim hit by a single bullet by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on Saturday in a news release. The incident happened close to the Tomates-Veterans border crossing in Matamoros, over the river from Brownsville, Texas.

"The Mexican government has reiterated that the disproportionate use of lethal force in immigration control is unacceptable under any circumstances," the release said.

There is no information connecting the two reports.

Border Patrol Spokesman Henry Mendiola said no agents were injured in the incident Saturday near Brownsville. He did not know if anyone else was hurt. He said the Mexican government had been notified and was responding to the area. The FBI also was investigating.

The Border Patrol released little details about the morning gunfire, including what the suspects were doing on the river.

Mendiola said several people had been taken into custody but that he could not provide details about the suspects or charges they face.

One of the agents started shooting after being "unable to take cover" when rocks were thrown, while the other opened fire after seeing a suspect on the Mexican side of the river pointing a gun at him, Mendiola said.

He added that as rocks were thrown, "at least one of the agents feared for his life."

U.S. lawmen opening fire along the Texas border is not routine, but Saturday was the latest in several such incidents in the past year.

Border Patrol agents seizing 4,000 pounds of marijuana in March near Roma got into a shootout with drug smugglers. In that incident, it also was not known whether anyone on the Mexican side had been hit.

Last summer, authorities said Border Patrol agents and Rangers with the Texas Department of Public Safety exchanged about 300 rounds of gunfire with suspected drug smugglers. Officials said the suspects threw rocks at U.S. lawmen in that incident, too.

In 2010, a Border Patrol agent in El Paso shot and killed a 15-year-old Mexican boy across the Rio Grande. Investigators say the agent fired after being attacked by people throwing rocks.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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