Helicopter Opens Fire During Chase; 2 Dead

Helicopter Opens Fire During Chase; 2 Dead

A Texas Department of Public Safety sharpshooter opened fire on an evading vehicle loaded with suspected illegal immigrants Thursday, leaving at least two people dead, sources familiar with the investigation said.

DPS spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger confirmed a DPS officer opened fire during the pursuit north of La Joya, but had no information as to whether the officer shot anyone inside the evading vehicle. “We do not want to speculate on any other issues at this time and have no further information,” Cesinger said in the email.

However, law enforcement sources said troopers found three people shot inside once the smuggler’s vehicle stopped along Farm-to-Market Road 2221 near Mile 7 Road. Two of the suspected illegal immigrants died from their injuries, they said.

The DPS rotary wing fleet consists of 15 American Eurocopter AS350s and an American Eurocopter EC145.

For the complete story by The (McAllen) Monitor’s Jacqueline Armendariz and Ildefonso Ortiz, click here.

Updated: October 26, 2012 — 12:16 PM
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