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

A person was shot and injured near the Canada-U.S. border in Blaine, Wash., after a confrontation with U.S. Border Patrol agents Tuesday morning.

FBI takes lead after Border Patrol agent opens fire near Peace Arch crossing

A person was shot and wounded near the Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine, Washington, early Tuesday morning after an encounter with U.S. Border Patrol agents, vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca reports. No agents were injured in the incident.

FBI spokesperson Amy Alexander confirmed the agency is leading the criminal investigation. "The subject was injured and transported to the hospital," Alexander said in an emailed statement. "A firearm was recovered at the scene," she added, without specifying how it was connected to the incident.

"This was an isolated incident, and there is no danger to the public," Alexander said. "The facts of the incident are actively being investigated by the FBI, and no other details are available at this time."

The Blaine Police Department placed the shooting at the corner of 4th Street and A Street, approximately 100 metres from the Peace Arch crossing, just south of Surrey, B.C. The department asked for public patience in the area and directed all media inquiries to the FBI.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection commissioner Rodney Scott confirmed that an agent discharged his service weapon during a confrontation with an individual near the border. The agency's office of professional responsibility is conducting a parallel review into the use of force, while the FBI handles the criminal investigation.

Blaine-based U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders said the shooting occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. and triggered a large law enforcement response to a wooded area along the border. Saunders, who has lived in Blaine for 25 years, described the location as a known hotspot for cross-border smuggling activity.

"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 Canada Border Services Agency declined to comment on the incident, directing all inquiries to U.S. authorities.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)