U.S. Customs and Border Protection

EL PASO (News Release) - On October 4, 2022, at approximately 10:40 a.m. and about 3.4 miles northwest of the Ysleta Port of Entry, Border Patrol agents encountered a suspected undocumented migrant, a male citizen of Mexico. Agents apprehended the man and transported him to the Ysleta Border Patrol Station, which is located in El Paso, Texas and booked him into the Ysleta Border Patrol Station at 11:12 a.m.

The man exited a detention cell, forced his way past an agent, and got a pair of scissors from a desk in the migrant processing area. Agents issued verbal commands, and one agent deployed an Electronic Control Weapon, which had no effect on the man. The man advanced towards two other agents with the scissors in his hand and two agents discharged their firearms, striking the assailant which successfully stopped his advance.

Agents immediately requested Emergency Medical Services. El Paso Fire Department medical personnel arrived at the scene at approximately 12:48 p.m., took over medical care, and transported the man to the Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, hospital medical staff declared the man dead.

This matter is under investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and under review by Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Professional Responsibility. There is no video footage of the incident. CBP’s OPR is obtaining more information regarding the operational history of the station’s video recording system.

The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was notified as required by CBP policy. This incident will be reviewed by CBP’s National Use of Force Review Board at the conclusion of the review. Information about CBP’s NUFRB and procedures for reviewing in-custody deaths can be found here.