A U.S. Border Patrol agent was injured Tuesday morning when a man in the country illegally threw a lawnmower blade through the window of her patrol car.
The agent was patrolling near the U.S.-Mexico border fence in Calexico at around 8:15 a.m. when the man, identified as 33-year-old Josue Gomez-Reyes approached her fully marked patrol vehicle, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
Gomez-Reyes then threw a partial lawnmower blade through her window. The blade hit the agent in her arm and the explosion of shattered glass caused injuries to her arms and face.
The injured agent chased the suspect and he was later arrested by responding Border Patrol agents.
“It is unacceptable for our Border Patrol agents to come under such a violent attack, but I am extremely proud of the quick determination of our agent to give chase and arrest her attacker,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Our agent was ambushed while faithfully carrying out her sworn duties as a law enforcement officer by a gang member with a lengthy criminal history here in the United States. Anytime a person chooses to attack a Border Patrol agent, they will know that they are going up against a highly trained professional and that once arrested they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Gomez-Reyes is a Mexican national who was illegally present in the country at the time of the assault, according to CBP. He was turned over to the FBI's custody.
No other information was available.
U.S. & World
News from around the country and around the globe
Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available.
