A U.S. Border Patrol agent was hospitalized after being hit with a rock while patrolling the border on his all-terrain vehicle Saturday night, a federal official said.

The agent was traveling about 20 mph in southwest Otay Mesa about 8:40 p.m. when the grapefruit-sized rock struck him in the chest and he crashed, said Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Michael Scappechio.

The injured agent pushed the vehicle off and called for help. When other agents arrived, they spotted a group of people south of the border fence that they suspected were trying to enter the country illegally, Scappechio said.

The agents used tear gas to disperse the group and informed authorities in Mexico, who assisted in the process.


The injured agent was moved to a safe location and then taken to a hospital. He was held overnight and released late Sunday morning with severe bruises to his chest.

He is currently on administrative leave.

Border Patrol Agent Eduardo Olmos said no one was able to describe the person who threw the rock, but that investigators are working with authorities in Mexico to locate the assailant.

He added that the last 24 hours have been particularly busy along the border. In the area where the assault occurred, agents discovered seven places where the border fence had been breached. More than 100 arrests were made, he said.


“This is an all-too-common occurrence.” Chief Patrol Agent Rodney Scott said in a statement. “The safety and well-being of our agents remains our top priority, and we will work diligently with our law enforcement partners to bring the assailant to justice.”


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