10 Jun 2010

Investigation wanted into death of boy at border

10:43 pm on 10 June 2010

Mexico has demanded an investigation into an incident in which a Mexican teenager died after a United States border patrol agent opened fire from the US side of the border.

The BBC reports the youth, believed to be 14 or 15, was found on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande under a bridge linking Ciudad Juarez with El Paso.

US authorities say the agent was defending himself and colleagues after they came under attack from people throwing stones and rocks.

The FBI is investigating the incident.

The US Border Patrol says rock attacks on its agents are frequent and capable of causing serious injury.