U.S. and Canadian citizens miraculously survived a near-death experience when ‘Mexican cartel terrorists’ shot and robbed them in a remote region of California this week.
The shocking incident unfolded on Wednesday morning in Imperial County.
U.S. Border Patrol’s (USBP) El Centro Sector Communications center was alerted by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office about a reported attack on hikers in the Jacumba Wilderness near the international border.
Agents were dispatched to an area roughly 1,000 feet north of the border where they encountered hikers who said members of their group had come under fire during an armed robbery.
“Two of the hikers, one U.S. citizen and one Canadian citizen, were approached by two armed individuals and were commanded to come toward the armed men,” Customs and Border Protection (CBP) explained in a press release.
“When the hikers refused to follow the armed subjects’ commands, the assailants fired a volley of shots toward the hikers, striking one victim in the leg. The assailants advanced on the downed hiker and his Canadian companion, robbing them of their cell phones and backpacks.”
USBP Tactical Unit (BORTAC) and Search, Trauma, and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents entered the area, locating the victims and loading the wounded man into a CBP AMO chopper.
He was flown to a local hospital for treatment but his current condition is unclear.
American hiker strafed with gunfire & shot twice by suspected #cartel #terrorists in Jacumba, CA
— USBP Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino (@USBPChiefELC) January 23, 2025
Cartels think they can bring their war here. Think again!
Americans won’t be intimidated. Our agents & BORTAC will confront these threats HEAD ON!@CBPAMO pic.twitter.com/8QpQ86RRpQ
BORTAC and BORSTAR tracked the assailants as they fled back into Mexico.
“The wounded hiker is an ‘I told you so moment’ highlighting the importance of adequate infrastructure the Border Patrol has been championing for years now,” El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino stated.
“Suspected cartel terrorists, however, are fixing to learn this type of conduct will be an end game type of activity here in the Premier Sector. All threats, anywhere, or at any time throughout this sector will be addressed vigorously.”