Border Patrol agent shoots, kills attacker during fight at border in San Diego (Los Angeles Times)

Border Patrol agent shoots, kills attacker during fight at border in San Diego

June 22, 2011 | 6:15 am
Tony Perry in San Diego

A Border Patrol agent Tuesday night shot and killed a rock-throwing assailant during a melee that took place as agents attempted to arrest migrants crossing illegally into the United States, the San Diego Police Department said.

The shooting occurred about 7:25 p.m. east of Dairy Mart Road, a popular spot for illegal crossing, police said.

Border Patrol agents were attempting to arrest three migrants when two of them ran back to Mexico through a hole in the border fence, according to police. The third began fighting with agents.

One of the two who had fled leaned over the top of the fence and began "throwing large rocks at the two agents," said Police Lt. Ernie Herbert. The attacker then threw a "a large piece of wood with exposed nails," hitting one of the agents on the head, he said.

The other agent fired at the attacker, Herbert said. Struck once by a bullet, the migrant fell back to the Mexican side of the border and died at the scene. The third migrant was arrested.

The Border Patrol agent who fired the fatal shot was described only as a three-year veteran. The agent who was struck in the head was treated at a local hospital and released, police said.

The San Diego Police Department is investigating the incident.