US investigates fatal shooting of tribesman by border agents

The FBI and federal border officials are investigating last week’s fatal shooting of a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation by US border agents on the Arizona reservation near the US-Mexico border.

Ajo Station agents were involved in the shooting around 10 p.m. Thursday near Ajo, Arizona, according to Robert Daniels, a spokesman for Customs and Border Protection. Days later, authorities had released few details about Monday’s shooting.

Authorities did not name the man who was killed, but Ned Norris Jr., the president of the Tohono O’odham Nation, identified him as Raymond Mattia, in a statement to The Associated Press. Mr Norris and the nation did not answer calls and messages on Monday.

KVOA, an NBC affiliate in Tucson, quoted unnamed relatives who said that Raymond Mattia called the authorities because several migrants had entered his garden. The New York Times could not independently confirm those accounts.

Mr Daniels said the shooting was under review by the Office of Professional Responsibility of the Customs and Border Protection. He added that the FBI and the Tohono O’odham Police Department were also investigating.

The FBI said the shooting occurred in the village of Menagers Dam, about a mile from the US-Mexico border and about 40 miles north of Ajo. The agency’s field office in Phoenix confirmed it was assisting the Tohono O’odham Police Department, but would not provide any further information.

The killing comes as the United States braces for an increase in the number of asylum seekers crossing its southern border following the expiration this month of the public health measure known as Title 42, which had ordered the immediate deportation of most migrants during the pandemic. .

“Our thoughts go out to his family and all those affected at this difficult time,” Mr Norris said in Tohono O’odham’s statement. “As the investigation progresses, the Nation expects full consideration of all facts related to the incident and an appropriate and prompt response from relevant public safety authorities. As the investigation is ongoing, we will refrain from commenting further at this time.”

The nation spans nearly 3 million acres in southwestern Arizona and includes approximately 28,000 members, making it the second largest reservation in Arizona by both population and geographic size. according to the tribal nation’s website.

Ophelia Rivas, a friend of the family, told News 4 Tucson that Mr. Mattia was a law-abiding citizen, artist, singer and traditional hunter.

“He wasn’t an aggressive guy, he wasn’t violent,” she said, adding that he was “always kind to his family and took care of them the way he could.”