Border Patrol Agent Fires Shots After Being Pelted By Rocks

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (AP) — The U.S. Border Patrol says an agent fired shots after being pelted by rocks thrown along the Rio Grande.

Border Patrol spokesman Henry Mendiola said Saturday he did not know if anyone was struck by the gunfire. He said the shooting about 9 a.m. in Brownsville happened when an agent "feared for his life" and fired his weapon.

Mendiola says the investigation is still very preliminary and he could not release any more details.

In 2010, a Border Patrol agent in El Paso shot and killed a 15-year-old Mexican boy across the Rio Grande. Investigators say the agent fired after being attacked by people throwing rocks.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.