Amid Pressure to Stop Killing Border Residents, Another Fatality Occurs

Southern Border Region/Washington, D.C. - October 21, 2015 - Today, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent shot and killed a man at the Calexico West Port of Entry in California. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) alleges that the man approached on his bike and was carrying a knife. CBP also stated that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, the Calexico Police Department and CBP are investigating the incident. More details about the incident are expected.

In response to today's developments, Christian Ramírez, director of the Southern Border Communities Coalition, released the following statement:

"We mourn the loss of life in our community and expect Customs and Border Protection to cooperate fully with the investigation in this tragic incident. CBP must take immediate steps in order to protect the sanctity of life in our region and adopt mechanisms for transparency, accountability and oversight in order to prevent the escalation of state violence that has plagued southern border communities for far too long."