CBP releases body-worn camera footage from agent-involved shooting in New Mexico

Executive Order 14074, “Advancing Effective, Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety,” requires that federal law enforcement agencies publicly post body-worn camera policies. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is piloting a body-worn camera program for officers and agents throughout the United States. In addition, CBP states they are committed to "expeditious release of body worn camera footage consistent with CBP policy and the above referenced executive order."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection released body-worn camera footage today from a deadly use of force incident which occurred near Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 2, 2023. This incident was captured on three agents’ body worn cameras. That footage is being released today, in compliance with CBP policy and the May 25, 2022, Executive Order on Advancing Effective Accountable Policing and Criminal Justice Practices to Enhance Public Trust and Public Safety:
A Border Patrol agent observed a sports utility vehicle circumvent a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint located on Interstate 10 approximately 23 miles west of Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 2 and began to follow. After a vehicle pursuit, the driver exited the vehicle and was confronted by Border Patrol agents. After walking for several minutes with the driver while attempting to persuade him to stop, an agent moved in to attempt to physically restrain the driver. The driver advanced to meet the agent, who fell to the ground, swinging a wooden club multiple times and striking the agent on the ground. The driver struck the agent a second time as he stood over him and was preparing to do so again when three other agents fired their service weapons, striking the driver.

Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Patrol via www.cpb.gov. : https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/accountability-and-transparency/body-worn-camera-video-releases