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Border Agent Kills Man Who Threw Rock at Him
Newser ^ | 2/18/14 | Kate Seamons

Posted on 02/19/2014 11:11:48 AM PST by Impala64ssa

Agent was patrolling known smuggling trail near San Diego

A US Border Patrol agent who claims he feared for his life after a rock hit his head reacted by shooting and killing the man who hurled the stone. It marks the ninth fatal shooting involving rock throwing since 2010. The unnamed agent was patrolling a smuggling trail east of San Diego early Tuesday when he came upon men suspected of crossing the border illegally; rocks were thrown at him, with one hitting his head. The San Diego Union-Tribune describes one of them as being as large as a basketball, and many of the rest fist-sized. The AP reports that the incident fuels an ongoing debate over whether lethal force is justified as a response to rock attacks. The Border Patrol has long maintained that rocks are deadly weapons, and has rejected proposals that would prevent it from responding to them with deadly force.

Under current policy, agents can use deadly force if they have a reasonable belief that their lives or the lives of others are in danger. Agents were attacked with rocks 185 times in the 2012 fiscal year, making it the No. 2 type of assault, according to the Department of Homeland Security inspector general. They responded with gunfire 22 times and with less-than-lethal force—such as pepper spray and batons—42 times. The rock-thrower was pronounced dead at the scene; it's unclear how many times he was shot, but the agent fired at least twice. The agent has been placed on paid administrative leave, reports the Los Angeles Times.


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: borderpatrol; sandiego
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To: G Larry
I’ll stand on Home Plate, you stand on Second Base. Let me throw 3 rocks at you.

I'll bet you'll need rotator cuff surgery afterwards. Best keep those rocks down to a weight of 5 oz. or so.

21 posted on 02/19/2014 11:35:10 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts ("The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it." - George Orwell)
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts

Bet you’re wrong!

I can still throw a 70 mph fastball across home plate.

Not draft material, but have your ability tested at the ballpark some time.


22 posted on 02/19/2014 11:40:20 AM PST by G Larry
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To: Bloody Sam Roberts

How dare he protect himself. I thought THE FOREIGNERS orders were to help them get over the border and on their way to the U.S.


23 posted on 02/19/2014 11:41:07 AM PST by spawn44 (MOO)
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To: dead

Now that’s what I call good gun control!

Nice shooting Agent!


24 posted on 02/19/2014 11:42:50 AM PST by JDoutrider
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To: Impala64ssa

Exactly. The first of Jesus’ Apostles to be killed was killed with mere rocks; rocks can do some real damage ...


25 posted on 02/19/2014 11:49:47 AM PST by Theo (May Christ be exalted above all.)
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To: G Larry
I can still throw a 70 mph fastball across home plate.

I don't doubt you. But Home to 2nd base is twice as far and throwing it as hard and fast as you can.
I ruined my cuff by doing that very thing with a baseball when I wasn't prepared for it...backing up the catcher trying to nail the runner headed for 2nd.

26 posted on 02/19/2014 11:55:08 AM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts ("The further a society drifts from truth the more it will hate those who speak it." - George Orwell)
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

+
Well good


27 posted on 02/19/2014 11:56:04 AM PST by S.O.S121.500 (Had Enough Yet ? ........................ Enforce the Bill of Rights ......... It's the LAW !!!)
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To: Impala64ssa

The blame for shootings like this falls squarely on the shoulders of the federal government, which has neglected enforcement of US immigration laws for all but those who try to enter legally for decades and encouraged the lawless conditions at the southern border.


28 posted on 02/19/2014 11:58:53 AM PST by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: G Larry

Balls in, coming down!


29 posted on 02/19/2014 11:58:59 AM PST by WinMod70
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To: Impala64ssa

I’d like to see someone throw a basketball sized rock.


30 posted on 02/19/2014 12:06:25 PM PST by nixonsnose (you never know how much pee splatters until you are standing at the urinal in flip flops.)
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To: Pan_Yan
At other times or in other countries securing the borders would have meant responding with gunfire 185 out of 185 times.

You mean like in Mexico ?

Reminder: How Mexico Treats ‘Undesirable’ Foreigners

31 posted on 02/19/2014 12:08:03 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (I just messed up my tagline. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: Impala64ssa

“Rocks don’t kill or maim? Just ask the Israelis who live near the Gaza”

Ask goliath too.


32 posted on 02/19/2014 12:09:12 PM PST by lowbridge
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To: Impala64ssa

i wouldhave. a rock can kill you or knock you out and leave you helpless until they can kill you.


33 posted on 02/19/2014 12:10:49 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Impala64ssa

Some throw rocks others throw lead.....what’s the problem???


34 posted on 02/19/2014 12:12:18 PM PST by ontap
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To: Impala64ssa

if rocks can’t kill you then someone better tell the muslims stoning ain’t doing the job.


35 posted on 02/19/2014 12:13:29 PM PST by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Vaquero
Are there any women here?
36 posted on 02/19/2014 12:16:07 PM PST by freedomlover
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To: Impala64ssa

Good shoot...

Take your leave of absence


37 posted on 02/19/2014 12:33:08 PM PST by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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To: freedomlover

ha


38 posted on 02/19/2014 12:40:44 PM PST by Vaquero (Don't pick a fight with an old guy. If he is too old to fight, he'll just kill you.)
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To: 12th_Monkey
If any liberal wants to see if a fist sized rock is dangerous, I’ll be happy to use you as a demo.

A "fist sized rock" I can see but this?

The San Diego Union-Tribune describes one of them as being as large as a basketball

I doubt that I could pick up a rock, "the size of a basketball", much less throw it.

Tribune newspaper - prone to exaggeration?

39 posted on 02/19/2014 12:43:50 PM PST by Graybeard58 (Welfare is a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. F.D.R.)
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To: G Larry

Really?

Pffftt!!!!

Piker

I do that with cell phones a couple times a year.

Well, more directly they exploded when hitting a wall at 90 mph....

Stoopit smawt phones....


40 posted on 02/19/2014 12:49:19 PM PST by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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