U.S. border guard killed

Jan. 2, 2008
Security officer was stabbed by man who tried to cross border

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso’s first murder happened on the border. Police said a border security guard was killed at the Paso Del Norte bridge. It happened around 5:30 Tuesday night.

Investigators said a man trying to cross the border into Mexico stabbed a security guard. After the stabbing the attacker took off running towards El Paso, but officers said he didn’t get far.

"Fortunately, a border patrol agent in the area was able to find him and detain him for us. So we do have someone in custody ,"said El Paso police Officer Chris Mears.

Police said the suspect is a Hispanic man. The security guard was taken to Thomason Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

People who work in the area are on edge.

"It's scary," said Betty Batista, who works at a parking lot near the bridge. "You never know what's gonna happen. You know, you don't know if your'e gonna get assaulted, you really don't know."

El Paso police are asking anyone who may have witnessed the crime to call Crimes Against Persons at 915-564-7010.

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