U.S. Border Patrol agents exchanged gunfire with suspected cartel members at the Texas-Mexico border on Monday afternoon.
Around 2 p.m., US Border Patrol agents near Fronton, Texas, received gunfire, according to Texas DPS Lieutenant Chris Olivarez.
According to Olivarez, the accused fled to Fronton Island, which lies between the United States and Mexico.
The bullets did not impact any of the suspects or Border Patrol personnel.
DPS drones recorded footage of the suspects.
What they’re saying: “The State of Texas will continue to monitor the area closely & use every resource available to prevent transnational threats to our law enforcement partners & the homeland,” wrote Lt. Olivarez on social media.
Gov. Greg Abbott sending Texas National Guard troops to border
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced the deployment of additional soldiers from bases in Houston and Fort Worth to the U.S.-Mexico border in the Rio Grande Valley.
The Texas Tactical Border Force, according to the governor’s office, will work in conjunction with the Border Patrol under the Trump Administration’s leadership to ensure border security.
A total of 400 members from the unit will be making the trip.
Last week, the specialized National Guard unit successfully concluded a training exercise focused on repelling a surge of migrants attempting to cross the border.
The Texas team is expected to fill in the gaps on the border until more federal resources arrive.
