Citizen militia undeterred by shooting incident

Photos showing dozens of members of the militia groups on the U.S.-Mexico border carrying semi-automatic rifles and wearing masks, camouflage and tactical gear provide one of the first glimpses into the group's activities on the border. less Photos showing dozens of members of the militia groups on the U.S.-Mexico border carrying semi-automatic rifles and wearing masks, camouflage and tactical gear provide one of the first glimpses into the group's ... more Photo: Provided To The San Antonio Express-News Photo: Provided To The San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 51 Caption Close Citizen militia undeterred by shooting incident 1 / 51 Back to Gallery

HARLINGEN — A leader of the self-described “Patriots,” a group of armed citizen volunteers patrolling the Rio Grande Valley border for illegal activity, said they were surprised that a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot in the direction of one of their volunteers last week, because moments before agents had sought their assistance.

The agent fired five shots in the direction of one of the volunteers on Friday but didn't hit him. The FBI is investigating the incident.

Rob Chupp, who heads up one of two Patriot teams in South Texas, said border agents frequently ask for backup from the volunteers, who have been in the area the past three weeks in response to a surge in illegal immigration in recent months.

“They knew exactly what we were doing and where we were doing it,” Chupp said. “So it absolutely shocked us that this would ever happen.”

A Border Patrol spokesperson denied that the agents request help from armed citizens groups. Chris Cabrera, vice president of the union representing Border Patrol agents in the Valley, said he had “never heard of an agent soliciting backup from any militia types.”

Cabrera said, “If militia members call us or arrive on scene that is beyond our control, but we do not call on civilians for backup, it's a very dangerous environment that we patrol.”

Border Patrol said in a statement that while it appreciates the efforts of concerned citizens, it does not endorse or support any private group or organization taking matters into their own hands because it could have disastrous personal and public safety consequences.

According to Chupp, volunteers had previously discussed standard operating procedure with agents to avoid dangerous encounters like the one last week near Brownsville.

Chupp said the volunteer is a resident of the Rio Grande Valley and was dressed in shorts and a red T-shirt, which appears to conflict with initial reports that he was wearing fatigues. The agent fired twice and yelled “Stop,” the volunteer turned, dropped his rifle and identified himself, then the agent shot three more times, Chupp said.

The possibility of armed volunteers without law enforcement training doesn't thrill elected officials in the Valley, or even those who advocate for property owners who say they're living in fear of drug and human smugglers.

Mike Vickers, a Falfurrias veterinarian who coordinates armed night watches on area ranches, said landowners have serious liability concerns. Vickers' Texas Border Volunteers patrol ranches near the Border Patrol checkpoint on U.S. 281 where he says landowners are threatened by smugglers sneaking through their property.

Vickers said he's had a wave of volunteers and people seeking advice as they head to the Valley in recent months, but he's kept them at arm's length. The Border Volunteers require everyone to show a concealed handgun license from Texas or a state with a reciprocal agreement, they go through training and are closely watched for their first year, he said.

In South Texas, particularly on the Rio Grande, any militia members will have to get permission from property owners to patrol, Vickers said. Wildlife refuges along the riverbanks have restricted access that Gov. Rick Perry said during a June news conference prevent state troopers from patrolling the banks.

“All the landowners are concerned about two things: having all these people on his property and having an incident and getting sued or getting threatening phone calls from smugglers who use the property regularly,” Vickers said. “Both of those are good reasons not to have them on your property.”

Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio, whose agents responded to the shooting incident last Friday, said local law enforcement agencies are doing admirable work on the border, and yet the presence of armed citizens unfamiliar with the region put lives in danger.

“They don't know the area, the customs, the people or the language,” Lucio said. “We don't know who these people are, or where they are; it makes it difficult and somebody could get hurt.”

Still, Chupp, who eschews the term “militia” and is considering a watchtower for the 5-acre plot he recently purchased on the banks of the Rio Grande, said the Patriots won't be leaving anytime soon. On the contrary, he expects hundreds more volunteers to arrive in the coming months.

And in another act of defiance, the Patriots hope to shut down all ports of entry across the border later this month.

“We won't give up,” Chupp said. “As long as it takes.”