U.S. Border Patrol agents allegedly exchanged gunfire with suspected cartel members attempting to smuggle illegal migrants across the US-Mexico border. The shootout occurred around 1:29 p.m. local time, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. No injuries were reported on either side.
The migrants reportedly attempted to enter the U.S. through a river near Fronton, southern Texas. State officials later released drone footage showing a group of men walking along the riverbank while brandishing firearms.
VIDEO: Earlier today, @TxDPS responded to assist the US Border Patrol after agents received gunfire from cartel members in Mexico while patrolling in Fronton, Starr County. DPS Drone Operators captured the gunmen fleeing Mexico due to military presence, & seeking refuge on an… pic.twitter.com/oPf5l7wltO
— Chris Olivarez (@LtChrisOlivarez) January 28, 2025
The gunfire exchange began when Border Patrol agents encountered a group of armed men escorting migrants along the riverbank. The gunmen opened fire, prompting the agents to return fire and stop the migrants before they could cross the border.
Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman Chris Olivarez said the gunmen fled back toward Mexico. While no arrests have been made, the investigation is ongoing to identify those involved in the incident.
The confrontation comes amid heightened border security measures introduced by President Donald Trump earlier this month. These include deploying additional troops to the border and designating Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations.
Officials say cartel groups have become more aggressive in response, with recent orders to directly engage U.S. law enforcement.
Fronton Island, located in the Rio Grande, is a key hotspot for cartel operations. Texas officials recently declared it U.S. territory to allow law enforcement to better control the area.
