San Diego County: US Hiker Shot by Cartel Smugglers
Border Patrol expresses outrage, vows they "will not stand idly by"

Some hikers in San Diego County stumbled upon some Mexican Cartel human smugglers who opened fire on them - striking one of them twice on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.
One of the two bullet wounds was serious enough to require the use of a tourniquet to prevent the American victim from bleeding to death. Responding Border Patrol Agents called in a US Customs & Border Protection helicopter to airlift the victim to a hospital. An update on the victim's condition has not been provided.

"Cartels think they can bring their war here. Think again! Americans won’t be intimidated. Our agents & BORTAC (tactical units) will confront these threats HEAD ON!" -Gregory K. Bovino, Chief Border Patrol Agent (El Centro Sector)
A statement on the Border Patrol's El Centro Sector's Facebook Page echoed Chief Bovino's outrage:
"A group of U.S. citizens hiking in the Jacumba Wilderness in California was brutally attacked and strafed with gunfire by suspected cartel members in El Centro Sector’s area of responsibility. One victim was shot twice and robbed. These cartels think they can bring their war to American soil.Let this serve as a WARNING: The El Centro Sector will not stand idly by. The safety of our citizens is NOT negotiable; cartel terrorists have no place in our country preying on the innocent. Enough is enough... The American people will not retreat from this kind of terror."

San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond offered additional details about the incident in a post on x.com:
"Two smugglers were guiding a large group of illegal immigrants through the mountains when two hikers were shot at. One of the bullets struck a hiker in the leg. Thanks to the quick response from (the Border Patrol), the victim received emergency treatment, including a tourniquet, and was airlifted to the hospital.
The smugglers, dressed in black-on-black clothing, escaped back into Mexico and are still at large. The Southern Border continues to be extremely dangerous and shows the need for a strong military presence." -Jim Desmond, San Diego County Supervisor

The San Diego Border Patrol Sector - which adjoins the El Centro Sector - is responsible for a dangerous section of California's Border with Mexico.
Earlier this week Border Patrol Agents discovered a rifle and ammunition hidden "in a bandit-prone area."
Other incidents in the San Diego Sector include:
Cartel human smugglers firing on Border Patrol Agents in August of 2023
Two Border Patrol Agents fired upon in seperate incidents there in May of 2023
And - more recently - cartel smugglers placed booby traps to flatten the tires of Border Patrol vehicles along the Border fence there in August of 2024:
In an official US Customs & Border Protection news release issued late Thursday, El Centro Border Patrol Sector Chief Gregory K. Bovino promised a “vigorous response” to “cartel terrorists” in his sector of the border:
“The wounded hiker is an ‘I told you so moment’ highlighting the importance of adequate infrastructure the Border Patrol has been championing for years now. Suspected cartel terrorists, however, are fixing to learn this type of conduct will be an end game type of activity here in the Premier Sector. All threats, anywhere, or at any time throughout this sector will be addressed vigorously.” - El Centro Sector Border Patrol Chief Gregory K. Bovino
How should the US respond to these Mexican Cartel attacks on US Soil?
Share your opinion in the comments on this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers