The family of the man shot dead by Border Patrol agents said they had no prior knowledge that footage of his death would be released and believe they should have been asked for their consent.
Customs and Border Protection released body camera footage on April 12 of an agent opening fire after tracking 38-year-old US citizen Noe Mejia on March 14. Mejia couldn’t give in to him when a Border Patrol agent tried to pull him in near Sasabe, Arizona, suspecting he was smuggling humans.
According to a letter sent to the media by attorney Joy Bertrand, Mejia’s family learned that the footage was released on April 13 without being notified by border officials.
“CBP has never notified the family that this footage has been released to the media,” the letter said. Families are horrified and once again traumatized by the release of this footage detailing a CBP agent shooting a loved one.”
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Bill Lisner, a Tucson attorney who has represented dozens of people injured or killed in Arizona Border Patrol incidents, said CBP’s release of footage of the deadly force incident was new and a step in the right direction. He said it was a step.
In the cases he handled, when there was video footage, the agency blocked its release, Risner said.
“It’s generally a good thing to release videos of specific military incidents in which a government agent shot someone,” he said. “Very important. Most other law enforcement agencies have rules that they should.”
“If they’re changing their policy, it’s definitely a step in the right direction,” he said.
Bertrand and her joint council represent several members of Mejia’s family, including Miguel Gutierrez, Marcellino Jardin, and their two minor children. Bertrand did not specify how they were related or the ages of the children.The family is investigating the shooting and intends to seek legal redress, her letter said. ing.
Legal remedies could include wrongful death lawsuits and Fourth Amendment lawsuits, Bertrand said in an interview.
“Now we are waiting to see how the criminal investigation unfolds,” she said.
The shooting is under investigation by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
The agent, whose name has not been released, was placed on administrative leave after the incident, a standard practice after using lethal force.
CBP could not disclose whether the agent is still on administrative leave, and also declined to comment on the family’s complaints about the way the video was released.
“Commitment to Accountability”
CBP is piloting a body-worn camera program for police officers and investigators nationwide. This is consistent with an executive order enacted last May requiring federal law enforcement agencies to publicly post body-worn camera policies.
“The rapid release of this footage is in line with our commitment to accountability and transparency,” Deputy Commissioner Troy Miller said when the video was released. “This includes the deployment of body-worn camera systems to all frontline personnel, except for those working in areas already covered by other camera systems, such as processing facilities, ports of entry, and onboard aircraft. It involves ongoing work.”
Miller also said, “The loss of life during an encounter with CBP law enforcement is a disaster for everyone involved, the family of the deceased, the officers and agents on the scene, the larger CBP workforce, and the people we serve. It has a big impact on the community.”
The case began when Mejia, a suspected smuggler, was unable to yield to Border Patrol agents, who pursued the vehicle.
started to cut the handle
The agent has caught up with the vehicle. He approached it, smashed both driver’s side windows with his baton, and grabbed Mejia’s forearm, who changed gears and began to steer, and agents shot him once.
An autopsy report said Mejia died from a gunshot wound to the neck. Toxicology reports indicated Mejia had methamphetamine in his system and a blood alcohol level above the legal limit for driving.
Another US citizen was in the passenger seat, two illegal immigrants were in the back seat, and three illegal immigrants were in the trunk.
The number of violent incidents in the Border Patrol Tucson sector is the highest in the country since fiscal 2021, Customs and Border Protection data shows. Officials say these figures should be considered in relation to the number of assaults on agents and the demographics of those arrested.
The Tucson area also had the highest number of forced incidents involving firearms from the beginning of fiscal 2020 through February of this year.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in smuggling and associated high-speed pursuits in southern Arizona.
WARNING: Graphic content. Customs and Border Protection has released body camera footage of the deadly armed incident that occurred March 14 near the port of entry in Sassave, Arizona. Watch the full video at tucne.ws/1n34.
