YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma Sector Border Patrol announced that an officer was attacked this week while apprehending a border crosser near San Luis, Arizona.

Chief Patrol Agent Sean McGoffin said a human smuggler threw a rock at a Border Patrol agent, hitting him in the head early Tuesday morning.

“There was someone trespassing in the area, and the smugglers on the Mexican side of the border started throwing rocks,” said Yuma Border Patrol Chief Sean McGoffin.

Chief Sean McGoffin said officers are trained to respond to difficult situations.

“This was an incident where an investigator was hit in the head and suffered a laceration across his eye,” Chief McGoffin said.

He said the deputy was taken to the hospital and is now recovering.

“The agent is doing well. We are grateful that he is safe, but he had to go to the hospital and receive treatment. He has not yet returned to work at this time, but will return to work in the near future.” We expect him to return and we are so thankful he is safe,” Chief McGoffin said.

Chief McGoffin said smugglers do not take human life seriously and that it is all about making money and facilitating the smuggling of people and drugs into the United States.

“While overall attacks are down compared to previous years, it does not alleviate the fact that these attacks are serious and at any time one of these attacks could be fatal.” Chief McGoffin said.

Yuma Sector said this incident is actively under investigation and is currently working with the FBI to bring those responsible to justice.

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