SAN ANTONIO, June 21 (UPI) -- The family of a slain U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent has filed a wrongful death claim against the U.S. government, officials say.
ICE agent Jaime Zapata was killed by Mexican drug cartel gunmen in February 2011, the San Antonio Express-News reported Wednesday.
While transporting "sensitive equipment," Zapata and fellow agent Victor Avila were forced off a Mexican highway by the gunmen. Zapata was shot several times and killed. Avila survived the attack.
Zapata's family has filed a wrongful-death claim against the federal government, alleging the agents should not have been driving through a dangerous area. The family also claims the government allowed the guns used in the attack to smuggled into Mexico through an operation in Texas similar to Arizona's Operation Fast and Furious, in which Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents in Arizona allowed guns into Mexico
"Jaime was murdered by narco-traffickers," the Zapata family's attorney wrote in the complaint. "But the reckless omissions by ICE, ATF and FBI created the opportunity for his death to occur."
The family is seeking $25 million in damages in two separate claims, one by the family and one by Zapata's estate.
In a similar complaint, Avila is seeking $12.5 million.
