Border Patrol Agent Killed, Partner Hurt in Texas Attack

Trump repeats call for border wall
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 20, 2017 3:01 AM CST
Trump Repeats Call for Wall After Border Patrol Agent Killed
A US Customs and Border Patrol agent passes along a section of border wall.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

President Trump repeated his call for a border wall Sunday night after a Border Patrol agent was fatally injured and another seriously hurt while on duty in west Texas. US Customs and Border Protection says Rogelio Martinez, 36, and his partner were injured after responding to activity in the Big Bend Sector while on patrol near Interstate 10 early Sunday, CNN reports. Both agents were transported to a local hospital, where Martinez died from his injuries later Sunday. Details on what happened are sketchy, though National Border Patrol Council officials tell KTSM that they believe both agents were attacked, probably with rocks.

"Border Patrol Officer killed at Southern Border, another badly hurt," Trump tweeted. "We will seek out and bring to justice those responsible. We will, and must, build the Wall!" Authorities say Culberson County Sheriff's Office deputies helped secure the scene while the Border Patrol's Special Operations Group searched for suspects or witnesses. The FBI has now taken over the investigation and Jeanette Harper of the agency's El Paso office says a more detailed account of the incident will be released Monday, the Houston Chronicle reports. She says contrary to earlier reports, the agents were not fired upon. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tweeted his condolences, saying resources must be increased to prevent other attacks. (More Border Patrol stories.)

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