NEW YORK: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is sending two Black Hawk helicopters to South Texas after a CBP helicopter came under fire last week in Laredo.
One of the shots fired Friday at the CBP helicopter patrolling along the border went through the aircraft and hit the pilot’s vest, according to Congressman Henry Cuellar. The pilot was not injured and the helicopter made a safe, emergency landing.
Cuellar said in a statement Wednesday that the Black Hawk helicopters will protect crews inside them from small-arms fire.
“The Black Hawk is armored against small arms fire of the sort used in the recent incident, carries a larger crew than the EC120 helicopter currently used in the area, and is well suited for operating in a higher threat environment,” he said. “The move is expected to occur this week.
“CBP continuously reviews the conditions of the border environment and deploys its resources accordingly. I support the men and women of CBP as they protect our southern border.”
Cuellar, who has been briefed on the investigation, said it’s suspected the gunfire on Friday came from Mexico.
“This is the type of situation that happens, especially if you are trying to interdict drugs or humans,” Cuellar said.
CBP said gunfire struck an Office of Air and Marine helicopter at about 5:30 p.m. Friday along the riverbanks in Northwest Laredo, near the La Bota Ranch Subdivision.
Two shots hit the helicopter, which then made an emergency landing, the FBI said.
“The FBI has initiated an investigation and will continue processing the crime scene with the Texas Rangers,” reads an FBI statement.
