Deaths by Border Patrol Since 2010



Updated July 23, 2020

Border Patrol’s lack of accountability and oversight paired with its culture of violence has resulted in the loss of lives of both migrants and American citizens. Since January 2010, at least 111 people have died as the result of an encounter with U.S. border agents. Many more have been brutalized, in some cases causing life-altering injuries. SBCC has tracked these deaths based on media coverage and/or press releases from Customs and Border Protection at the time of these incidents.

2020

10 deaths

111. Name Withheld

Age: unknown

Nationality: unknown

Cause of Death: gunshot

Incident Date: July 9, 2020

Incident Location: Calexico, CA

A man was shot and killed by border agents after approaching a border agent and a contract security guard with a knife.

110. Name Withheld

Age: 28

Nationality: unknown

Cause of Death: unknown

Incident Date: July 6, 2020

Incident Location: Laredo, Texas

CBP responded to a call of a man in distress on a remote ranch. The man was taken to a hospital, where he passed away.

109. Name Withheld

Age: 19

Nationality: American

Cause of Death: Car crash

Incident Date: June 25, 2020

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

This person was a passenger in a pickup truck that crashed after Border Agents engaged in a high-speed chase. They died in the crash.

108. Santos Porfirio-Garcia

Age: 32

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Car crash

Incident Date: June 25, 2020

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

Santos Porfirio-Garcia was a passenger in a pickup truck that crashed after Border Agents engaged in a high-speed chase. He died in the crash.

107. Yadira Barrera

Age: 16

Nationality: American

Cause of Death: Car crash

Incident Date: June 25, 2020

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

Yadira Barrera was a passenger in a pickup truck that crashed after Border Agents engaged in a high-speed chase. She died in the crash.

106. Liliana Jimenez

Age: 16

Nationality: American

Cause of Death: Car crash

Incident Date: June 25, 2020

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

Liliana Jimenez was a passenger in a pickup truck that crashed after Border Agents engaged in a high-speed chase. She died in the crash.

105. Elvira Tot-Chiroy

Age: 19

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Car crash

Incident Date: June 25, 2020

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

Elvira Tot-Chiroy was a passenger in a pickup truck that crashed after Border Agents engaged in a high-speed chase. She died in the crash.

104. Oscar Miguel Garcia-Bran

Age: 21

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Car crash

Incident Date: June 25, 2020

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

Oscar Miguel Garcia-Bran was a passenger in a pickup truck that crashed after Border Agents engaged in a high-speed chase. He died in the crash.

103. Gustavo Cervantes

Age: 18

Nationality: American

Cause of Death: Car crash

Incident Date: June 25, 2020

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

Gustavo Cervantes was the driver of a pickup truck that crashed after Border Agents engaged in a high-speed chase. He died in the crash.

102. James Paul Markowitz

Age: 32

Nationality: American

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: February 4, 2020

Incident Location: Bracketville, Texas

James Paul Markowitz was apprehended surrounding an "illegal smuggling incident" on February 4, 2020. Markowitz began exhibiting "signs of distress" that evening, and was administered first aid, then transferred to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

2019

17 deaths

101. Name Withheld

Age: 41

Nationality: Congolese

Cause of Death: Acute Kidney Failure

Incident Date: December 25, 2019

Incident Location: Lincoln Juarez Bridge, Laredo, Texas

A female migrant seeking asylum in the United States died on Christmas Day in government custody when she crossed the Gateway Bridge in Texas with her family, before reportedly succumbing to acute kidney failure. She came with paperwork that documented a “previous medical condition”, CBP said. The agency's medical personnel cleared her to be detained overnight. She was traveling with her husband and two children, who were subsequently released.



100. Name Withheld

Age: 42

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Alleged suicide

Incident Date: December 21, 2019

Incident Location: East Hidalgo Detention Center

On Friday, Dec. 20, CBP Officers at the Hidalgo Port of Entry detained a male 42-year-old Mexican national who claimed to be a US Citizen. He was arrested and processed for Expedited Removal and was held for criminal prosecution. The individual passed away at the East Hidalgo Detention Center on Dec. 21, 2019. According to initial reports, the cause of death is suspected to be the result of suicide. The incident remains under investigation by La Villa Police Department, and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

99. Name Withheld

Age: Not released

Nationality: Not released

Cause of Death: Shot by Border Patrol agent

Incident Date: November 3, 2019

Incident Location: Sunland Park, New Mexico as suburb of El Paso, Texas

The agent approached a group of four people early Monday, and one of them pulled out a gun and started shooting, according to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The agent fired back, hitting the man, who died at a hospital. No additional information was released, including the names of the agent and gunman. The CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is investigating.





98. Name Withheld

Age: 33

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Severe dehydration

Incident Date: October 26, 2019

Incident Location: Tubac, Arizona

A woman died in U.S. Border Patrol custody over the weekend, following nearly two weeks in the hospital. The 33-year-old Mexican woman was in need of medical care when an Arizona sheriff's deputy found her on Oct. 13 near Tubac, about 40 kilometers north of the border city of Nogales. She was suffering from "severe dehydration," a CBP spokesperson said. She died in an area hospital on Oct. 26, according to CBP.



97. Name Unknown

Age: Unkown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle while fleeing agents

Incident Date: Some time around October 21, 2019

Incident Location: Texas highway

The man fled from agents across a Texas highway and was hit by a car. No more details can be found at the moment.

96. Name Withheld

Age: 49

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: unknown

Incident Date: October 21, 2019

Incident Location: Tucson, Arizona (South of Casa Grande)



On Sunday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m., a 49-year-old Mexican national was apprehended by Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents, south of Casa Grande. During processing it was determined the man needed medical attention and was transported to a Tucson area hospital. Medical officials determined that the man had a pre-existing heart condition. On Monday, at approximately 9 a.m., the man was pronounced deceased.

95. Name Withheld

Age: 32

Nationality: Salvadoran

Cause of Death: unknown

Incident Date: August 1, 2019

Incident Location: Lordsburg, New Mexico



A 32-year-old-man died while in Border Patrol custody. According to reports, he was taken into custody at the El Paso Border Patrol Station and was being processed at the Lordsburg Border Patrol Station when he fell into medical distress and later died.

94. Name Withheld

Age: 52

Nationality: Nicaraguan

Cause of Death: unknown

Incident Date: July 5, 2019

Incident Location: Tucson, Arizona

A 52-year-old-man died while in Border Patrol custody. According to reports, he was part of a group of 36 asylum-seekers who turned themselves in to be processed.

93. Travis James Eckstein

Age: 23

Nationality: American

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: June 3, 2019

Incident Location: San Ysidro, California

Border Patrol agents fatally shot an American man during a shootout that occurred at secondary inspection at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

92. Name Not Yet Released

Age: 40

Nationality: Honduran

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: June 3, 2019

Incident Location: Eagle Pass, Texas

A 40-year-old woman was apprehended at the border by CBP, when she collapsed shortly after. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

91. Name Not Yet Released

Age: 33

Nationality: Salvadoran

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: June 3, 2019

Incident Location: Roma, Texas

A 33-year-old man was apprehended by CBP, and began having a seizure. He was given emergency care by an EMT-certified CBP agent, and taken to a hospital, where he died.

90. Carlos Hernandez Vásquez





Age: 16

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Influenza A

Incident Date: May 20, 2019

Incident Location: Welasco, Texas

A 16-year-old boy who was apprehended May 13, was found unresponsive by CBP during a welfare check at the Welasco Station, where he ultimately died.

89. Wilmer Josué Ramírez Vásquez



Age: 2

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Pneumonia

Incident Date: May 14, 2019

Incident Location: Texas

The toddler's mother asked for medical assistance for him after noticing he was ill on April 6, 2019, then transferred to Providence Children's Hospital in El Paso the Next day, where he remained until he died.

88. Name not released



Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: April 6, 2019

Incident Location: New Mexico

The unnamed person was ejected from a vehicle after El Paso Border Patrol chased the car on highway 9 in New Mexico. The Border Agents deployed a tier deflation device, which the vehicle swerved to avoid, causing it to roll over, and eject and fatally wound, two people from the vehicle.

87. Name not released



Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: April 6, 2019

Incident Location: New Mexico

The unnamed person was ejected from a vehicle after El Paso Border Patrol chased the car on highway 9 in New Mexico. The Border Agents deployed a tier deflation device, which the vehicle swerved to avoid, causing it to roll over, and eject and fatally wound, two people from the vehicle.

86. Name not released



Age: 40

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: March 18, 2019

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

The unnamed 40-year-old man died at Las Palmas Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, after being diagnosed with flu-like symptoms, liver failure and renal failure. He was apprehended on March 17, 2019.

85. Name not released

Age: 45

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: February 19, 2019

Incident Location: McAllen, Texas

The 45-year-old man was in Border Patrol custody since February 2nd. He requested medical attention after he was found near a port of entry, was seen by at a Mission medical center, cleared for travel, and returned to Border Patrol custody. While in custody, he again requested medical attention, and was under medical care in McAllen until he died. He was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver and congestive heart failure, but the official cause of death is unknown.

2018

10 deaths

84. Felipe Alonzo-Gomez

Age: 8

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Influenza B

Incident Date: December 24, 2018

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

After being in Border Patrol custody for almost a week, Felipe fell ill, was taken to the hospital, misdiagnosed with a cold, and sent back into detention. Felipe began vomiting and was taken back to the hospital, where he died before midnight.

83. Jakelin Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin

Age: 7

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Cardiac arrest caused by severe dehydration and shock

Incident Date: December 8, 2018

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

Seven-year-old Jakelin died in Border Patrol custody after being detained with her father and others in the New Mexico desert.

82. Name not released



Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: September 2018

Incident Location: Laredo, Texas

A supervisory US Border Patrol agent who authorities are calling a serial killer was arrested on September 15, 2018, in the deaths of four people after a would-be fifth victim narrowly escaped harm and alerted a police officer.

81. Nikki Enriquez



Age: 28

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: September 14-15, 2018

Incident Location: Laredo, Texas

A supervisory US Border Patrol agent who authorities are calling a serial killer was arrested on September 15, 2018, in the deaths of four people after a would-be fifth victim narrowly escaped harm and alerted a police officer.

80. Claudine Ann Luera



Age: 42

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: September 13, 2018

Incident Location: Laredo, Texas

A supervisory US Border Patrol agent who authorities are calling a serial killer was arrested on September 15, 2018, in the deaths of four people after a would-be fifth victim narrowly escaped harm and alerted a police officer.

79. Melissa Ramirez



Age: 29

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: September 3, 2018

Incident Location: Laredo, Texas

A supervisory US Border Patrol agent who authorities are calling a serial killer was arrested on September 15, 2018, in the deaths of four people after a would-be fifth victim narrowly escaped harm and alerted a police officer.

78. Roxsana Hernández Rodriguez



Age: 33

Nationality: Honduran

Cause of Death: Dehydration and complications related to HIV

Incident Date: May 25, 2018

Incident Location: Milan, New Mexico

Roxsana was a trans woman who died of cardiac arrest, dehydration, and complications related to HIV after being transferred to a privately-run detention center in New Mexico. An independent autopsy, released in November of 2018, also found evidence of physical abuse.

77. Claudia Patricia Gomez Gonzalez



Age: 20

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: May 23, 2018

Incident Location: Rio Bravo, Texas

Border Patrol agent shot and killed Claudia after a group had attempted to cross the Texas border illegally and then allegedly rushed the agent, according to Customs and Border Protection. Customs and Border Protection has previously changed the retelling of the event from a rocking incident to a group rushing the agents. The FBI is launching an investigation.

76. Robert Young III



Age: 29

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: February 12, 2018

Incident Location: Pinecrest, FL

A burglar busted through the glass doors of a house in the upscale village of Pinecrest early Monday morning, only to face a deadly barrage of bullets from the homeowner — a high-ranking Miami federal agent.

75. Juan Daniel Jacques



Age: 33

Nationality: N/A

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: January 2018

Incident Location: Socorro, TX

According to an article, Juan Daniel Jacques attacked officer so Border Patrol fires his duty weapon while off duty.

2017

9 deaths

74. Rolando Chávez Chávez



Age: 26

Nationality: Guatemala

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: November 29, 2017

Incident Location: Southwest of Tucson, AZ

According to Border Patrol, Chávez attacked an agent while being taken into custody and a struggle ensued where Chávez grabbed the agent’s gun. A second officer fired on Chavez during the struggle.

73. Rodolfo Ballardo



Age: 31

Nationality: U.S. Citizen

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: September 2017

Incident Location: Southwest of Tucson, AZ

Authorities say that Ballardo had shot an Arizona State Trooper and fled the scene. Border Patrol found the car Ballardo had taken off in and an exchange of gunfire occurred.

72. Unknown



Age: 30

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal hit by car

Incident Date: September 17, 2017

Incident Location: San Ysidro, CA

According to news reports, the unknown mirgrant was hit by a car after they fled from a van that was crossing into the U.S.

71. Unknown

Age: 30

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal hit by car

Incident Date: September 17, 2017

Incident Location: San Ysidro, CA

According to news reports, the unknown mirgrant was hit by a car after they fled from a van that was crossing into the U.S.

70. Isarel Caballero

Age: 18

Nationality: U.S. Citizen

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: August 10, 2017

Incident Location: San Diego, CA

According to news reports, U.S. Border Patrol agents said they were pursuing the SUV because the license plate was thought to have been connected to a homicide investigation and human smuggling operations. Moments after its driver lost control, the SUV slammed into a guardrail and went over the side of the interstate.

69. Gloria Lopez

Age: 15

Nationality: Mexican National

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: August 10, 2017

Incident Location: San Diego, CA

According to news reports, U.S. Border Patrol agents said they were pursuing the SUV because the license plate was thought to have been connected to a homicide investigation and human smuggling operations. Moments after its driver lost control, the SUV slammed into a guardrail and went over the side of the interstate.

68. Raul Quiroz

Age: 20

Nationality: Mexican National

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: August 10, 2017

Incident Location: San Diego, CA

According to news reports, U.S. Border Patrol agents said they were pursuing the SUV because the license plate was thought to have been connected to a homicide investigation and human smuggling operations. Moments after its driver lost control, the SUV slammed into a guardrail and went over the side of the interstate.

67. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: February 23, 2017

Incident Location: Lordsburg, NM

According to news reports, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Paso sector were involved in a chase that led to the crash.

66. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: February 23, 2017

Incident Location: Lordsburg, NM

According to news reports, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Paso sector were involved in a chase that led to the crash.

2016

7 deaths

65. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Uknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: July 15, 2016

Incident Location: Laredo, TX

According to Customs and Border Protection, agents subdued a male in Laredo, TX near the river. While escorting the man to the vehicle, the man became unresponsive. Laredo Emergency Medical Services arrived and transported the man to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

64. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: June 9, 2016

Incident Location: Yuma, AZ

According to the Yuma Sector Border Patrol Public Affairs Office, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot and killed a suspected undocumented migrant during a struggle.

63. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: May 22, 2016

Incident Location: Near Laredo, TX

One person died and 10 others were injured north of Laredo in a chase that ended in a crash.

62. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: March 23, 2016

Incident Location: Yuma, AZ

Migrants fleeing from CBP in a vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 8, killing two and injuring four individuals

61. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal car crash

Incident Date: March 23, 2016

Incident Location: Yuma, AZ

Migrants fleeing from CBP in a vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer on Interstate 8, killing two and injuring four individuals

60. Hector Leroy

Age: 43

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: February 4, 2016

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

According to Customs and Border Protection, On Thursday, February 4, at approximately 5:45 p.m., three U.S. Border Patrol agents from El Paso Sector were on patrol in the downtown area, near the Greyhound Bus Station. The agents heard the sound of gunshots and immediately responded. Agents observed a wounded person lying on the ground and a man fleeing the scene on foot between Overland and El Paso streets.

The three agents pursued the subject who approached a pickup truck and pointed a gun at the driver in an attempt to carjack the vehicle. Agents drew their service-issued firearms and ordered the subject to drop the weapon. The man turned toward and pointed his gun at one of the agents. Another agent then discharged his firearm and the man fell to the ground.

59. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal Car Accident

Incident Date: January 31, 2016

Incident Location: Northwest Laredo, Texas Person died as a result of being thrown from a minivan during a chase with CBP.Four other occupants were taken to Doctors Hospital. Border Patrol chase ends in fatal crash in Northwest Laredo

2015

9 deaths

58. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: October 21, 2015

Incident Location: Calexico, CA

A man was shot and killed Wednesday morning after allegedly attacking customs officers with a knife at the Calexico West Port of Entry.

57. Rayshaun Cole

Age: 30

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: October 17, 2015

Incident Location: Chula Vista, CA

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer fatally shot her boyfriend in their Chula Vista apartment Saturday, telling police that it was in self-defense as he was hitting her, authorities said.

56. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: September 23, 2015

Incident Location: Drummond Island, MI

Michigan State Troopers were searching for a missing person alert on Drummond Island, MI and had requested for assistance from Border Patrol Agents in the search. Border Patrol Agents had entered a dwelling were shots were fired and killed the unnamed civilian.

55. Richard Matt

Age: 49

Nationality: U.S. Citizen

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: June 2015

Incident Location: New York

54. Graciela Lopez Franco

Age: 32

Nationality: Mexico

Cause of Death: Drowning

Incident Date: June 18, 2015

Incident Location: Off the coast of Encinitas, CA

According to a filed complaint, 20 people were onboard a panga a few minutes after midnight on June 18, 2015, seven miles off the coast of Encinitas when Border Patrol officers spotted the low-riding boat. Supervisor Hunter, Linscott, and Jenkins, riding in a 38-foot M901 patrol vessel, approached the panga. Once within range, the officers failed to use their intercom or lights on their vessel and instead, reads the complaint, ran straight toward the panga. The officers then directed a “flash-bang” explosion at the immigrants’ vessel. Officer Linscott fired several shots from his gun into the outboard motor, disabling it. The officers then rammed their boat into the panga, splitting it into several pieces.

53. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: May 17, 2015

Incident Location: British Virgin Islands

52. Jamison E. Childress

Age: 20

Nationality: Canadian

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: March 19, 2015

Incident Location: Sumas, Washington

Border patrol agents shot and killed Childress after he set off ground sensors on the U.S.-Canada border crossing near Sumas, Washington.

51. Tiano Meton

Age: 25

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: January 22, 2015

Incident Location: El Paso, Texas

According to Customs and Border Protection, border patrol agents shot and killed a man who had driven through a West Texas checkpoint without stopping for an inspection. The shooting happened around 5 pm Thursday, January 22. Agents pursued the vehicle for 30 miles before it finally stopped. A pistol-shaped pellet gun was recovered from the vehicle.

50. Name Not Released

Age: Not Released

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: January 21, 2015

Incident Location: Chapeno, TX

According to the CBP statement, on January 21, 2015, at approximately 2 a.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents from Rio Grande City Station responded to drug smuggling activity near the small community of Chapeño, Texas, west of Roma. As the agents secured the narcotics load, one agent searching the area for smugglers came under fire. The agent returned fire striking [and killing] one subject. The FBI, Starr County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the DPS Texas Rangers are investigating the incident. Rio Grande Valley Sector is fully cooperating with the investigation.

2014

12 deaths

49. Francisco Manuel Cesena

Age: 40

Nationality: U.S. citizen

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: December 24, 2014

Incident Location: San Ysidro Port of Entry, San Diego

According to San Diego police and the Medical Examiner’s Office, Francisco Manuel Cesena was crossing into the United States, Wednesday, December 24 when he was detained by the border patrol agents. Cesena allegedly jumped over a counter and attacked a border agent. He collapsed after a taser was used on him. He was declared dead at the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. A cause of death has not been determined.

48. Adam Thomas

Age: 27

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: November, 8, 2014

Incident Location: Hemet, CA

An off-duty Border Patrol agent, John Demery, confronted a neighbor and fatally shot him multiple times. A six-year veteran of the Border Patrol assigned to the Murrieta station, Demery was placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting.

47. Amaro Lopez

Age: 23

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: October 24, 2014

Incident Location: Southwest of Tucson, AZ

According to Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office, Lopez died of a single gunshot to the head. Two BP agents were after several men in the area of West Hermans and South Sandario roads when one of the men tried to shoot one of the agents. One agent fired his weapon in response. The other members of the group ran off.

46. Unknown

Age: 36

Nationality: U.S. Citizen

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: October 17, 2014

Incident Location: Holding cell in BP checkpoint between Carlsbad, NM, and El Paso, TX

Person died while in custody at a U.S. Border Patrol facility in Texas. CBP says the 36-year-old man was found unresponsive Friday in a holding cell at a Border Patrol checkpoint between Carlsbad, NM and El Paso, TX.

45. Aide Fink

Age: 50

Nationality: U.S. Citizen

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: September 25, 2014

Incident Location: Flower Mound, TX (near Dallas)

Police arrested Daniel Fink, 40, for the murder of his estranged wife. The 50-year-old woman was found with multiple gunshot wounds just after midnight Thursday inside a house on Heather Glen Drive near Glenwick Boulevard. Police say a 16-year-old inside the home called 911. The victim was taken to a local hospital where she died. The woman’s three children, ages 7, 11, and 16, were inside the house at the time of the shooting. Daniel Fink is employed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Court records show his wife filed for divorce back in August. A hearing in the case was supposed to take place Thursday morning, but was cancelled.”

44. Unknown

Age: 54

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: September 5, 2014

Incident Location: McAllen Station processing facility, TX

According to news stories, agents find immigrant hanging at McAllen Border Patrol station.

43: Joaquin Tomas Cibrian

Age: 29

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: July 2014

Incident Location: Edinburg, TX

Edinburgh police entered Cibrian's home and a shootout between law enforcement and Cibrian occurred. Edinburgh police called U.S. Border Patrol for assistance and Cibrian was killed in the shoot-out.

42. Jose Luis Arambula

Age: 31

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: May 30, 2014

Incident Location: Green Valley, AZ

Arambula, of Tucson, was shot killed in Green Valley Friday as he was fleeing border patrol agents. One of the agents, Daniel Marquez, fired multiple shots at Arambula, killing him, according to Pima County Sheriff’s Department. The other agent, whose name was not released, did not fire at the suspect. Incident is being investigated by the Sheriff’s Department after the FBI declined to investigate.[i]

BP statement:

At approximately 2:30 p.m. MST Friday, Border Patrol agents on patrol attempted to conduct a stop on a suspicious vehicle on Interstate 19 (I-19) near Green Valley, Arizona. The vehicle’s driver failed to yield to the agent’s emergency lights and sirens and continued driving. At the intersection of Abrego Drive and Camino Encanto, the driver stopped the vehicle and fled on foot. Agents pursued the driver and during the encounter, an agent discharged his service issued weapon, resulting in the death of the driver. Bundles of marijuana were located in the subject’s vehicle. The Border Patrol is fully cooperating with the Pima County Sheriff’s Office – led investigation.

May 30, 2014 – CBP releases PERF report and new Use of Force Handbook

41. Name Not Released

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: March 10, 2014

Incident Location: Detroit, MI

An off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent from California fatally shot a man in Detroit during a dispute that may have stemmed from a card game. The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press report the shooting took place outside a home about 2 a.m. Monday on the city’s east side. Deputy Chief Rodney Johnson says an argument between the agent’s cousin and another man moved outside the home and the other man brandished a gun from inside a vehicle. Johnson says the agent fired several shots at the other man, killing him.

40. Jesús Flores-Cruz

Age: 41

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: February 18, 2014

Incident Location: Otay Mountains, San Diego

According to San Diego Sheriff’s, two Border Patrol agents split up to cut off a group of three suspected undocumented immigrants. The two agents were out of sight of each other when one of the agents was struck in the face by a rock thrown by one of the suspects. Fearing for his safety, the agent fired his duty pistol at the man, striking him. The agent sustained minor injuries. Mexico condemns the shooting.

CBP issued the following statement

At 6:30 a.m. PST Tuesday, a Border Patrol agent on patrol on the Otay Mountain in San Diego, Calif., was assaulted by three individuals and struck in the head with a rock. The agent discharged his service-issued weapon, resulting in the death of one individual. The agent apprehended the two other individuals. CBP is fully cooperating with the investigation conducted by the FBI and the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

39. Gabriel Sanchez Velazquez

Age: Late 20’s

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Jan. 16, 2014

Incident Location: Near Apache and Portal, AZ

Man was part of a group Border Patrol was tracking. BP agents took two men into custody without incident, but a third fled and was eventually located “hiding under a mesquite bush” by a federal agent. Reportedly, the man struggled with the agent, attempting to get the federal officer’s weapon, she said. The BP agent, “fearing for his personal safety and potential serious injury, pulled his handgun and fired at the suspect.” The man was struck in the upper body area and “succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Cochise County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.

38. Keith J. Martin

Age: 35

Nationality: U.S. Citizen (born in Germany)

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Jan. 2, 2014

Incident Location: Near Hondo, TX

Border Patrol agent Adam S. Garibay, 33, is suspected of killing his wife’s lover, Keith J. Martin, 35. After beating and tying up his wife in Corpus Christi, Garibay drove to Martin’s home on a private road 3 miles north of Hondo, TX, and allegedly shot him to death.

2013

5 deaths

37. Steven Keith

Age: 58

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Died in custody

Incident Date: Dec. 25, 2013

Incident Location: Campo Border Patrol Station near San Diego, CA

Keith was arrested Christmas Eve at a border checkpoint on Interstate 8 after agents allegedly discovered drug paraphernalia and trace amounts of methamphetamine inside his vehicle. San Diego Sector Border Patrol officials said he was arrested for illegal possession of drugs and intent to distribute three pounds of marijuana. He was then taken to a holding cell at the Campo Border Patrol station. Six hours after his arrest, he was dead. Border Patrol officials say he became incoherent and unresponsive while in the cell. Border Patrol emergency medics administered CPR to the man and called paramedics.

36. Cruz Marcelino Velazquez

Age: 16

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Drank highly concentrated liquid methamphetamine at the request of CBP agents

Incident Date: November 18, 2013

Incident Location: San Ysidro Port, CA

Velazquez died from drinking a highly concentrated liquid methamphetamine at the San Diego border crossing.

35. Ernesto Gutierrez Cortez

Age: 38

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Oct. 19, 2013

Incident Location: Otay Mesa, CA

Agent shot at suspect vehicle when the driver made a U-turn and drove directly at him. Driver sustained non-life threatening injuries.

34. Mathew Simmons

Age: 27

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: March 21, 2013

Incident Location: Otay Mesa Border

Agents drove up to a car on the side of road that appeared to have been in an accident. One of the agents checked the car license plate and determined it was a stolen vehicle. Simmons pulled a handgun on the three agents, shooting one of them in the hip. The agents responded with gunfire and killed him.

33. Name Not Released

Age: 51

Nationality: U.S. Citizen

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: February, 16, 2013

Incident Location: San Ysidro port of entry, CA

Man crossed into the United States in a vehicle with two other USC relatives. They were directed to an inspection area and the man was handcuffed and walked into the security area. Once inside, the handcuffs were removed so the man could empty his pockets. As he placed his items on a counter, he collapsed. According to CBP, agents did not use any force on the suspect when taking into custody or transporting him for processing. The cause of the man’s death is not known.

2012

17 deaths

32. Margarito Lopez Morelos

Age: 19

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Dec. 2, 2012

Incident Location: Baboquivari Mountains, AZ

Shot and killed after a struggle with a Border Patrol agent.

31. José Antonio Elena Rodriguez

Age: 16

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Oct. 10, 2012

Incident Location: Nogales, Sonora

Shot multiple times in the back and killed after reportedly throwing rocks at U.S. Border Patrol agents.

30. Nicholas J. Ivie

Age: 30

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: October 2, 2012

Location: Near Bisbee, AZ

Shot and killed in friendly fire incident.

29. Valeria Munique Tachiquin-Alvarado

Age: 32

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Sept. 28, 2012

Incident Location: Chula Vista, CA

A plain-clothed Border Patrol agent shot and killed Tachiquin in a residential suburb of San Diego. The agent alleged she had struck him and was carrying him on top of her car prompting him to fire in self defense. Witnesses tell conflicting stories. The border agent involved had a very troubling record when he worked as a sheriff’s deputy. The Imperial Valley Sheriff’s Department ultimately issued the agent a notice of termination for “unprofessional conduct, dishonesty, violation of or refusal to obey reasonable regulations, insubordination, violation of rules, incompetence and failure to follow proper procedures for arrest, search and seizure and treatment of persons in custody.”

28. Guillermo Arévalo Pedroza

Age: 36

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Sept. 3, 2012

Incident Location: Nuevo Laredo, México

Shot and killed while at a barbeque with his wife and daughters. Border patrol agents claim they were under attack from rock throwers on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. A video of the shooting didn’t show any rock throwing.

Eyewitness video:

27. Juan Pablo Perez Santillán

Age: 30

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: July 7, 2012

Incident Location: Near Matamoros, Mexico

Shot and killed while standing on the banks of the Rio Grande. Border Patrol claims Perez Santillán was throwing rocks; witnesses in Mexico say he was unarmed.

26. Charles Robinson

Age: 75

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: June 23, 2012

Incident Location: Jackman, ME

Shot and killed by Border Patrol agents during a confrontation at his residence. Robinson was reportedly intoxicated and believed to be injured.

25. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

24. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

23. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

22. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

21. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

20. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

19. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

18. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

17. Unknown

Age: Unknown

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Unknown

Incident Date: April 11, 2012

Incident Location: Palmview, TX

Nine people died and seven were hospitalized in a crash involving Border Patrol agents and a suspected immigrant smuggler.

16. Alexander Arthur Martin

Age: 34

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of death: Death in vehicle explosion

Incident Date: March 15, 2012

Incident Location: Near Campo, CA

Died in car explosion that may have been caused by Border Patrol tasers. Border Patrol officials chased Martin’s car after he began driving the wrong way down the highway.

2011

9 deaths

15. Byron Sosa Orellana

Age: 28

Nationality: Guatemalan

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting,

Incident Date: Dec. 6, 2011

Incident Location: Near Sells, AZ

Shot and killed after allegedly assaulting an agent and police dog.

14. Gerardo Rico Lozano

Age: 20

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Nov. 3, 2011

Incident Location: Near Corpus Christi, TX

Shot and killed after allegedly driving at Border Patrol agents who pulled over his vehicle.

13. Omar Olivares

Age: 28

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Sept. 15, 2011

Incident Location: Eagle Pass, TX

Off duty agent got into a shootout with his wife’s cousin. Wife’s cousin was killed at the scene. Agent died later at the hospital. It is unknown how the shooting started. According to EPPD approx. 36-38 rounds shot by both individuals. Olivares was shot approximately four times by the agent and the agent was shot seven times. Agent was transported to the Ft. Duncan Medical Center.

12. Jose Alfredo Yañez Reyes

Age: 40

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: June 21, 2011

Incident Location: Tijuana, Mexico

Shot and killed while suspected of attempting to cross the border into the U.S. illegally. Agents claim suspected border crossers were throwing rocks; it’s unclear if Reyes was involved in the rock throwing.

11. Amado Rodriguez

Age: 46

Nationality: Unknown, born in Sinaloa, Mexico

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: April 18, 2011

Incident Location: Fabens, TX

The Fabens Border Patrol Station was contacted by the El Paso Sheriff’s Office to provide backup for El Paso Sheriff’s deputies on scene. The El Paso Sheriff’s Office SWAT team also arrived on the scene. The El Paso Sheriff’s Department has conducted several investigations into the shooting, including an Internal Affairs investigation. The results of the investigations have not been released, but family members claimed in a new story that the Mr. Rodriguez, who has been in a wheelchair since age 17, was improperly shot by law enforcement agents responding to the scene.

10. Carlos Lamadrid

Age: 19

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: March 21, 2011

Incident Location: Douglas, AZ

Shot 3 times in the back and killed by a Border Patrol agent while fleeing across the border into Mexico, reportedly transporting marijuana. The agent was allegedly under attack by a rock thrower when he fired.

9. Alex Martinez

Age: 30

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Feb. 27, 2011

Incident Location: Whatcom County, WA

Shot and killed by Border Patrol agents while allegedly swinging a hammer and smashing windows in his mobile home. Martinez had a history of mental problems.His brother says Martinez did not come out running and instead complied with commands to step out of the house. What officers believed to be a gun in his possession was in fact a flashlight.

8. Roberto Pérez Pérez

Age: 63

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Lack of medical care after being beaten.

Incident Date: 1-13-2011

Incident Location: San Diego, CA

Beaten while in detention for trying to re-enter the U.S. and died due to lack of proper medical care.

7. Ramses Barron Torres

Age: 17

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Jan. 5, 2011

Incident Location: Nogales, Mexico

Shot and killed after allegedly throwing rocks at Border Patrol agents. Witnesses deny he threw rocks.DOJ stated in their press release closing their investigation that they reviewed surveillance videos, but videos have not been released publicly.

2010

6 deaths

6. Juan Mendez, Jr.

Age: 18

Nationality: Unknown

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Oct. 5, 2010

Incident Location: Eagle Pass, TX

Shot in the back twice and killed by a Border Patrol agent after being involved in a car chase. Mendez was stopped by the officer for driving with a “suspicious load” and took off running; he briefly struggled with the agent before the shooting.

5. Sergio Adrian Hernandez-Guereca

Age: 15

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: June 7, 2010

Incident Location: El Paso, TX

Shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent after a group of suspected undocumented immigrants reportedly threw rocks at agents at an international bridge. Guereca was on Mexican soil; the agent was 12 yards from the border on the U.S. side.

Eyewitness video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wI2Q1XikLw

4. Anastasio Hernandez Rojas

Age: 42

Nationality: Mexican, San Diego resident since age 18

Cause of Death: Tortured to death by CBP

Incident Date: May 28, 2010

Incident Location: San Diego, Ca.

Longtime San Diego resident; tortured to death by federal officers at a Border Patrol station as he resisted being deported.

Eyewitness videos:

3. Neil Begin

Age: 54

Nationality: U.S.

Cause of Death: Fatal shooting

Incident Date: April 23, 2010

Incident Location: Near Van Buren, ME

Border Patrol Agent Robert Kipler, assigned to the Van Buren Station of the Houlton Sector, responded to a residence located just south of Van Buren, to back up a Maine State Trooper investigating an ongoing domestic dispute. Agents entered the residence with the State Trooper and confronted the subject [who] appeared to be holding a bolt-action rifle. The State Trooper and BP agent discharged their weapons at the subject. The subject was struck by some of the rounds fired, and collapsed to the floor. EMS arrived and transported the subject to a local hospital for emergency treatment and later transported by life-flight to a hospital in Bangor, Maine. The subject died the next morning. The Maine State Attorney General’s report later found that Agent Robert Kipler fired 14 shots, and Kipler fired the fatal shot. The AG also found the shooting to be justified.

2. Victor Santillan de la Cruz

Age: 36

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death: Fatal Shooting

Incident Date: March 31, 2010

Incident Location: Laredo, TX

Shot and killed during a struggle with a Border Patrol agent.

1. Jorge A. Solis-Palma

Age: 28

Nationality: Mexican

Cause of Death:Fatal shooting

Incident Date: Jan. 4, 2010

Incident Location: Douglas, Az.

Shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent after reportedly throwing a rock and injuring an agent and his dog. Incident was captured on a surveillance camera.