Poli Alert Politics & Civics
Related Articles
A 27-year-old Michigan man armed with an assault rifle opened fire on a U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen, Texas, early Monday morning, prompting agents and local law enforcement to return fire and kill the shooter, authorities said.
The gunman, identified as Ryan Louis Mosqueda, was wearing a utility vest and fired dozens of rounds at the building and personnel at the Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector annex, according to McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez.
The incident unfolded just after 6 a.m. local time at the entrance to the facility in southern Texas, near the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson.
“He was neutralized by agents and responding officers,” Rodriguez said during a press conference Monday. “He came prepared to inflict serious harm.”
Three people — two law enforcement officers and one Border Patrol employee — were injured in the exchange of gunfire. One of the officers was shot in the knee and transported to a nearby hospital, officials said. The other injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Shooter Had No Criminal Record, Authorities Say
Mosqueda had no prior criminal history, and officials say his motive is still unknown. He had recently arrived in Texas from Michigan, driving a vehicle with Michigan license plates. According to police, he was reported missing from an address in Weslaco, Texas, at approximately 4 a.m., just two hours before the shooting occurred.
Investigators are now working to determine how Mosqueda obtained the weapon and whether he had any connections to extremist groups or had communicated threats in advance.
Escalating Violence at Immigration Facilities
The McAllen attack comes just three days after a separate shooting incident outside an immigration detention center in Alvarado, Texas — raising concerns among law enforcement and immigration advocates about the increasing volatility around immigration-related facilities amid a heated national debate.
While no direct link between the two incidents has been established, DHS officials say they are reviewing security protocols and will be “closely monitoring threats” to other federal facilities.
“This attack underscores the danger faced daily by our agents,” said a DHS spokesperson. “We are grateful for the swift response that prevented an even greater tragedy.”
Federal Investigation Underway
The FBI and DHS Office of Inspector General have launched a joint investigation into the incident. Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage, forensic evidence, and Mosqueda’s digital footprint for any signs of premeditation or ideological motivation.
The Border Patrol’s Rio Grande Valley Sector, which operates six stations along the southern border, has seen a surge in operations in recent months amid new immigration directives and enforcement measures.
Local officials praised the agents and officers for their response but emphasized the need for greater awareness of potential threats at federal facilities.
“We can’t ignore the risk that our agents and employees face,” Chief Rodriguez said. “It’s a dangerous environment, and today was a reminder of just how quickly things can escalate.”
Community Reactions and Security Questions
The shooting shook residents of McAllen, a city of about 140,000 located directly across the border from Reynosa, Mexico. Schools and businesses near the facility briefly went into lockdown during the morning hours.
Community leaders and immigration advocates called for a thorough investigation and increased transparency from federal agencies, especially regarding any intelligence warnings that may have preceded the shooting.
As of Monday evening, the names of the injured have not been released. Authorities have not ruled out a possible press briefing by DHS or Border Patrol leadership later in the week.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
