Photo: Getty Images
Suspected Mexican cartel members were seen opening fire on U.S. Border Patrol agents while attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally at the southern border in video footage shared on Monday (January 27), authorities said via the New York Post.
The incident took place near Fronton, Texas, at around 1:30 p.m. local time, U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed in a statement revealing limited details. The suspected cartel members opened fire as a group of migrants attempted to cross the Rio Grande, law enforcement sources told FOX News.
The Texas Department of Public Safety confirmed that border agents quickly returned fire during the incident.
"Earlier today, @TxDPS responded to assist the US Border Patrol after agents received gunfire from cartel members in Mexico while patrolling in Fronton, Starr County," Texas Department of Safety spokesperson Lt. Chris Olivarez wrote on his X account, along with the video footage. "DPS Drone Operators captured the gunmen fleeing Mexico due to military presence, & seeking refuge on an island between the US & Mexico. The State of Texas will continue to monitor the area closely & use every resource available to prevent transnational threats to our law enforcement partners & the homeland."
The footage showed at least four armed men walking along the river bank and attempting to hide in shrubs while being tracked by an aerial drone, which multiple individuals were seen aiming at in the footage. No injuries were reported in relation to the incident, according to authorities.
The incident came amid President Donald Trump's increased focus on illegal immigration, which included the Pentagon announcing plans to ship 1,500 active duty troops to the southern border to join the 2,200 U.S. National Guard and Reserve personnel already in place. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement claims to have arrested 1,179 people and lodged 853 immigration detainers on Monday, one day after reporting 956 arrests and issuing 554 detainers.