Federal agencies investigating report of shooting near border

Sierra Vista Herald, Sierra Vista Arizona ^ | Oct 8, 20055 | GENTRY BRASWELL

[SandRat]

SIERRA VISTA -- Four people believe they were shot at from south of the border on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

But no evidence has yet been found to substantiate the incident, Border Patrol spokesman Gustavo Soto said Wednesday.

U.S. Forest Service investigators also have not found evidence to support the report.

"They perceived shots having been fired," Border Patrol spokeswoman Andrea Zortman said Thursday. "We turned everything over to the Park Service."

Kym Hall, Coronado National Memorial's superintendent, said four people were stopped as they passed eastbound through the memorial at about 7:45 a.m. for driving erratically. The immediate investigation continued because the vehicle occupied by the four people contained an assortment of firearms.

Upon further questioning by park police, the vehicle occupants told of the incident near the border, west of the Coronado National Memorial property.

Park police then called in Border Patrol agents to take a report since the incident allegedly took place at the U.S.-Mexico border.

But because the alleged victims have revised their report since the originally submitting it to authorities and there is no evidence as yet, Hall said details of the incident report have not been fully disclosed at this time.

HERALD/REVIEW reporter Gentry Braswell be reached at 515-4680

or by e-mail at gentry.braswell@svherald.com.

[gondramB]

I'm skeptical about this particular report - and I've been criticized for that skepticism.

My reasons:

1. The local Minute Men are really stressing that this film crew was not working on their behalf.

2. I've know a lot of journalists, including photo-journalists. It's hard to imagine a 4 man film crew getting shot at and chased at length and no one getting a single photo, film clip or audio recording.

3. They claim they had time to identify the perusers as Mexican army but didn;t describe any insignias or symbols.

Other reposrts I've read of shots being fired at (or over the heads of) Minute men just had a more real feel than this account.

[cripplecreek]

I would like to know A LOT more about the accusers.

[gondramB]

there was a thread last night. They were an armed film crew in the area to film a documentary (I don't know if it was positive or negative) on the Minute Men. They were off on their own at the time.

[cripplecreek]

I commented on that thread that they wouldn't stand and film people shooting at them but others said that they claimed to have film.

Time will tell.

[gondramB]

"I commented on that thread that they wouldn't stand and film people shooting at them but others said that they claimed to have film."

Interesting... real photo journalists are fanatics about filming no matter what. It will be interesting to see what the film shows.

[HiJinx]

A co-worker who knows the guides said that they do have film of the shooting.

This article treats the other newspaper account as worthless.

Shoddy reporting, at best. This reporter evidently talked with the Park Rangers and the Border Patrol, and not the four men who were shot at.

Andrea Zortman, the BP spokeswoman, hasn't gotten it right yet.

[B4Ranch]

If you are close enough to describe any insignias or symbols, you are laying there dying or you are a prisoner.

[SandRat]

The shooting incident did take place. One of the Dad's on a Scout Campout this weekend confimed it. He's BP Supervisor for that sector.

[Americanwolfsbrother]

What I haven't been able to tell from the stories I've seen (nothing in the Scruplic of course) is which side of the border was the film crew on? If they were on the U.S. side of the border then the Feds have got to do something. If they were on the Mexican side than they are SOL.AWB

[SandRat]

Ran on both sides of the border. Started on the Mexican and ended on our side from what I was told last night in the field.

[gondramB]

"If you are close enough to describe any insignias or symbols, you are laying there dying or you are a prisoner."

I understand that. But they reported being attacked by the Mexican army while on American soil - that's a big deal. If they didn't see any insignia or symbols how did they identify "the attackers?"

[Americanwolfsbrother]

Thanks for the update. If thats the case the Feds have to file a complaint against Mexico ( I know, I know what good will it do).AWB

[SandRat]

Word I got was don't trust the pencil pushers to do anything.

[Americanwolfsbrother]

I hear you SandRat. Give a holler if you need some help down there. AW and myself would be glad to lend a hand.AWB

[Americanwolfsbrother]

I hear ya, you've got to protect yourself. I'd love to volunteer for the Minuteman project but can't justify the $50 for a background check right now along with the rest of the expenses. But if HiJinx or SandRat said they need us, my brother and I would be down it about 3 hours. (plus I've had so many checks run in the last 4 months the feds are going to be sick of seeing my name).AWB

[Americanwolf]

Lets us know if there are additional eyes and ears...and ahem...sights..needed on the border... I am going out tomorrow morning to work on my accuracy...

(its going to be better then watching the Packers go 0-5 or the Cards going 1-4.)

[B4Ranch]

Probably because of the vehicles they were driving, one man giving orders to all the others men, the fact (presumed by me) that they were all carrying the same weapons, etc.

I can recognize a military unit from a mile away almost with my eyes closed.

[SandRat]

For now the best accuracy is with Binos a digital video camera, and a cell-phone. Now if we could just figure out how to record the cell phone call for posterity. heheheheheh sneaky huh?