Border agents fire guns after rock attack

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BROWNSVILLE, Texas, July 8 (UPI) -- Two U.S. Border Patrol agents opened fire Saturday after rocks were thrown at one of them and the other saw a person aiming a weapon at him, a spokesman said.

Acting Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Enrique Mendiola Jr. said the agents were responding to a report of possible illegal aliens crossing the border from Mexico near Brownsville, Texas, when they encountered several individuals near the Rio Grande

One person began throwing rocks and one agent fired his service weapon in self-defense when he was unable to take cover, a statement released by the Border Patrol said.

About same time, a nearby agent observed a person aiming a weapon at him from the south side of the river and fired his service weapon in self-defense, the statement said.

Several people were taken into custody. No agents were injured and it appeared none of the individuals involved were wounded, Mendiola said.

The Mexican government was notified and the Federal Bureau of Investigation was investigating.