Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie Shot and Killed

Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie was shot and killed early yesterday morning near Naco, AZ. The 30 year old joined the Border Patrol in January of 2008 and was a native of Provo, Utah.

Cochise County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Carol Capas said the shooting happened after an alarm was triggered in the desert. The Border Patrol have many censors in the desert that go off when anyone is near them. This incident took place near mile marker 352 on Highway 80 at 1 AM. The agents were on horseback and investigating the alarm when shots were fired at them.

The wounded agent was airlifted to a hospital and is in stable condition. Another agent was not hurt.

All three were assigned to the brand new Brian Terry station in Naco. Mexican drug cartel members using guns from the ATF gun walking Operation Fast and Furious murdered agent Terry on December 14, 2010.  It is unknown if the weapons used to murder Agent Ivie also belong to Fast and Furious.

The FBI pledged resources from all over the country to assist. The Cochise County Sheriff told the AP that two possible suspects have been apprehended. The FBI could not confirm this.

Agent Ivie leaves behind a wife and two children. His brother-in-law told the AP Agent Ivie joined the Border Patrol because he loved horseback riding and helping people.

Brian Terry’s family issued the following statement:

“We hope that those responsible for this shooting are brought to justice swiftly. The fact that the agents involved in this shooting were assigned to the recently dedicated Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station in Naco, Ariz., gives us pause to reflect on the life lost and the continued task of keeping our nation safe.”