Off the coast of Puerto Rico, three U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers were wounded after exchanging gunfire with individuals “on board a suspected smuggling vessel.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that the incident occurred around 8 a.m. Thursday and resulted in multiple gunshot wounds to the agents.
It happened 144 miles off the Puerto Rican coast in Cabo Rojo.
According to the organization, an investigation is ongoing as the agents are transported to the Puerto Rico Trauma Center.
The police officers belonged to the agency’s Air and Marine Operations division, according to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.
At a congressional hearing, he stated that he had received information on the “tragic loss of one of our front-line men” and that “many others were badly injured.”
“These are courageous personnel from our air, and naval operations here in the U.S. Mayorkas disclosed the shooting to a Senate hearing on Thursday.
“Customs and Border Protection,” he said. “Therefore, the challenge of this job cannot be compared to the challenge that our frontline staff members encounter daily. We should honor their bravery and selfless service.
JUST IN: Speaker Pelosi says she will not run for a leadership post, a move that marks the end of an era and sets up a major shakeup for House Democrats https://t.co/pIBpwRoaaR pic.twitter.com/H0dnrZJNGI
— CNN (@CNN) November 17, 2022
JOIN US ON WHAT'SAPP, TO GET INSTANT STATUS UPDATES AND BE IN THE KNOW.
CLICK HERE
