Rock Thrown by Suspect Injures Border Patrol Agent
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SAN DIEGO — Authorities detained 23 suspected illegal immigrants Wednesday after a Border Patrol agent was struck in the eye with a rock during a confrontation in rugged canyon country, officials said.
The 37-year-old agent, whose name was not disclosed, and a partner were pelted as they approached a group of about 30 immigrants east of the Otay Mesa entry shortly before 2 a.m., said Ron Henley, a Border Patrol supervisor.
“One of the rocks hit one of the agents in the eye,” Henley said.
Henley said 23 people, including the person suspected of throwing the rock, were taken into custody for questioning. He said the suspect could face federal criminal charges and witnesses could be called back to testify.
Henley said Border Patrol agents are regularly targets of rock throwers but rarely injured.
The agent was undergoing tests at UC San Diego Medical Center. The injuries were not life threatening, Henley said.
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