NEAR LA JOYA — A Texas Department of Public Safety sharpshooter opened fire on an evading vehicle loaded with suspected illegal immigrants, 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.
“This is going to get big really, really fast,” a local law enforcement official said of the DPS incident. “You have a law enforcement official shooting at an unarmed alien. This is not an excuse for deadly force.”
Cesinger confirmed two people were dead. She said a third person was sent to an area hospital for treatment, while six others were arrested.
When asked if he was aware of two illegal aliens being shot by DPS in Hidalgo County, DPS Director Steven McCraw responded:
“Of course I am aware of this situation.”
He declined to comment further and directed further contact to the DPS press office. He also said he was currently out of the state.
Authorities were still searching for others who fled the scene on Thursday night, Cesinger said.
The pursuit began after a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game warden tried to pull over a vehicle suspected of smuggling immigrants Thursday afternoon along FM 2221.
A DPS helicopter was called in to assist in the pursuit and a sharpshooter opened fire on the evading vehicle — a policy permitted by the agency, two law enforcement sources not authorized to comment on the investigation said.
DPS troopers are the only law enforcement in the Rio Grande Valley region permitted to open fire during chases.
Various agencies — Border Patrol, La Joya police, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office — were present at the desolate, rural area alongside DPS well into the night. Authorities set up blockades at least a mile out from the scene.
After dark, a red pickup truck with no apparent damage — except a blown, rear driver’s-side tire — was towed away from the area where police were working.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the incident.