U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Rio Grande City Station Marine Unit faced gunfire from the Mexican riverbank while patrolling the Rio Grande on Friday.
Stationed neared Fronton, Texas, the agents reported seeing four individuals with automatic weapons who then proceeded to shoot more than fifty rounds at them.
According to an official statement from the agency, no injuries were incurred, despite the boat being hit multiple times.
In a tweet detailing the event, the agency said, “The incident is under investigation,” accompanied by a picture of a boat patrolling the Rio Grande river.
Located close to 13 miles east of Rio Grande City in Alto Bonito, the Rio Grande City Station is responsible for approximately 1,228 square miles including 68 miles of international border in south Texas.
The station, located directly across the river from the cities, Ciudad Camargo, Miguel Aleman, Mier, and Nuevo Guerrero in the Tamaulipas state of Mexico, is situated in an area where gang and cartel-related violence frequently occur.
In April, the State Department issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory for the Tamaulipas region citing concerns about violent criminal activity including murder, armed robbery, and kidnapping as well as gang activity including “gun battles and blockades.”
The CBP station also includes three international ports of entry – Rio Grande City, Roma, and Falcon.
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Sarah McConnell
Sarah McConnell is a reporter for The Texan. Previously, she worked as a Cyber Security Consultant after serving as a Pathways Intern at the Department of Homeland Security – Citizenship and Immigration Services. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Texas A&M as well as her Master of Public Service and Administration degree from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M. In her free time, Sarah is an avid runner, jazz enthusiast, and lover of all things culinary.