CBP Helicopter Rescues Two Migrant Men Wounded in Southern Arizona Gunfire

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter carried out a medical evacuation for two gunshot victims in northern Mexico on Friday, authorities confirmed.

According to Rob Daniels, a spokesperson for CBP, U.S. Border Patrol agents and crews from Air and Marine Operations responded to a 911 call about migrants being shot in Mexico. They crossed into the U.S. near Pagago Farms on the Tohono O’odham Nation, roughly 86 miles southwest of Tucson.

Helicopter crews from the Tucson Air Branch, including H125s and a UH-60 Blackhawk, were dispatched to the scene. The Blackhawk, diverted from patrol, brought along Border Patrol Search, Trauma, and Rescue team agents (BORSTAR) who immediately began triaging the wounded.

Images shared by CBP depicted the Blackhawk parked on a border road beside the anti-vehicle barrier that stretches along the Tohono O’odham Nation’s border with Mexico. One H125 pilot provided overwatch while the other coordinated civilian medical transport. However, due to delays in civilian medical evacuation, the Blackhawk crew took it upon themselves to evacuate those critically wounded.

“Our crews are trained to respond to emergency situations,” stated Jose Muriente, deputy director of Air and Marine Operations, Tucson Air Branch. “The quick response and expertise of our aircrews and BORSTAR agents are crucial, especially when they encounter individuals with severe, life-threatening injuries.”

BORSTAR agents, known for their tactical medical and search and rescue operations, examined two additional men. While one had a superficial gunshot wound, the other was uninjured. Both were taken into custody and processed by Border Patrol agents.

“Tucson Sector BORSTAR’s continued partnership with the Tucson Air Branch allows us to rapidly respond to critical and time-sensitive situations like this with the most qualified personnel,” Muriente added.

During the fiscal year of 2023, which commenced on October 1, AMO agents were credited with 1,004 arrests and nearly 90,000 apprehensions. Additionally, they seized or disrupted large amounts of contraband, including 256,883 pounds of cocaine, 2,049 pounds of fentanyl, 4,050 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,200 weapons, and $15.3 million in cash.