FBI investigates Border Patrol shooting near Peace Arch crossing in Blaine, Wash.

A U.S. Border Patrol agent fired his weapon near the Canada-U.S. border in Blaine, injuring one person. The FBI is leading the criminal investigation.

FBI leads probe into Border Patrol shooting near Peace Arch crossing

The FBI is investigating a shooting involving U.S. Border Patrol agents near the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, Washington, just south of Surrey, B.C., ctvnews.ca reports.

The incident took place Tuesday morning at the corner of 4th Street and A Street, approximately 100 metres from the crossing, according to the Blaine Police Department.

"No agents were reported injured," FBI spokesperson Amy Alexander said in an emailed statement. "The subject was injured and transported to the hospital."

Alexander confirmed a firearm was recovered at the scene but did not specify how it was connected to the incident. "This was an isolated incident, and there is no danger to the public," she added.

A spokesperson for U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed that an agent fired his service weapon during an encounter with an individual near the border. Commissioner Rodney Scott said the agency's office of professional responsibility is investigating the officer's use of force, while the FBI leads the criminal investigation.

"The facts of the incident are actively being investigated by the FBI, and no other details are available at this time," Alexander's statement read. "Additional information will be provided as it becomes available."

U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders, who has lived in Blaine for 25 years, said the shooting occurred at around 5:30 a.m. and drew a large law enforcement response to a wooded area beside the border — a location he described as a known hotspot for smugglers.

"There are lots of people who they catch, who usually sneak in through the park or sneak in through the bushes," Saunders said. "But it's very rare that you actually hear that someone is shot for an action like this."

The Blaine Police Department directed all media inquiries to the FBI. The Canada Border Services Agency also declined to comment, referring questions to U.S. authorities.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)