KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — A Kaufman County Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper was shot while on border assignment in south Texas earlier today.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — A Kaufman County Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper was shot while on border assignment in south Texas earlier today.
DPS identified the trooper as Trooper III Danny Shaw who has been with Texas Highway Patrol for eight years. His injuries were described as non-life threatening. Shaw is assigned to the Terrell DPS office in Kaufman County.
A Rio Grande Border Patrol Agent was also shot in the chest during the incident, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) representative says.
Shortly before 1 p.m., on Friday, November 25, 2016, the trooper was shot near the Rio Grande river in Fronton, Texas, which is located in Starr County approximately 105 miles northwest of Brownsville, Texas.
“Initial reports indicate that the trooper suffered a gunshot wound and was transported by a DPS helicopter to a local hospital,” DPS Lt. Johnny Hernandez stated in a Friday release. “He remains in stable condition.”
“A multi-agency investigation is currently underway,” stated Hernandez.
"The Border Patrol Agent was shot in the chest, however the bullet struck the agent's ballistic armor," CBP Public Affairs Officer Rod Kise told inForney.com. "As a result, he is not seriously injured."
“Troopers were monitoring armed individuals on an island in the Rio Grande between the United States and Mexico,” according to media reports from ValleyCentral.com. “The Tamaulipas state police approached the armed individuals and a firefight ensued. The Texas state trooper was shot in the center pelvic area.”
Its unclear if the trooper was struck by an errant bullet or intentionally shot by an individual involved in the firefight, according to the station.
According to the latest available statistics provided by DPS in September 2016, 138 troopers are currently temporarily deployed to the border area in their mission to enhance Texas border security by providing direct assistance to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency and other local law enforcement agencies.
DPS, according to the statistics, currently has 761 troopers permanently assigned to border security with 203 new permanent positions recently hired and deployed.
This is a developing story.