A 36-year-old U.S. Border Patrol agent died Sunday morning after an apparent attack while patrolling southwest Texas, according to federal authorities.
Agent Rogelio Martinez, a four-year veteran of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and his partner were dispatched to an unspecified incident near Interstate 10 in the Van Horn Station jurisdiction near the Mexico border.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) described the circumstances surrounding the injuries as an attack.
“Our condolences and prayers go out to the family and friends of Border Patrol Agency Rogelio Martinez, who was killed this morning in the line of duty. We are also praying for the full recovery of his partner, who was also attacked,” Cruz said in a statement.
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Details of what happened, and ultimately led to the El Paso native’s death, is unclear.
Martinez’s partner, who was not immediately identified, called for help at some point after both agents were hurt.
Agents with the Big Bend Sector were first to help the duo — both of whom were rushed to a nearby hospital where Martinez died Sunday morning. The surviving agent remains hospitalized in serious condition, officials said.
CBP spokesman Carlos Diaz declined to elaborate on when, how and where the agents were wounded. All questions were referred to the FBI’s El Paso field office, which is investigating the attack.
FBI spokeswoman Jeanette Harper said more information is expected to be released Monday after investigators have had a chance to comb through the preliminary details.
Despite the lack of public knowledge surrounding the on-duty death, President Trump cited the attack as another reason to build a border wall with Mexico.
“Border Patrol Officer killed at Southern Border, another badly hurt,” Trump tweeted Sunday night. “We will seek out and bring to justice those responsible. We will, and must, build the Wall!”
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