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Slain Border Agent Likely Killed by Friendly Fire, FBI Says

Oct. 5, 2012 9:45pm Jason Howerton

Nicholas Ivie Likely Killed by Friendly Fire, FBI says

This undated photo provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows Border Patrol agent Nicolas Ivie. Ivie was shot to death Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2012 in Arizona near the U.S.-Mexico line, the first fatal shooting of an agent since a deadly 2010 firefight with Mexican bandits that spawned congressional probes of a botched government gun-smuggling investigation.(Credit: AP)

PHOENIX (AP) — A preliminary investigation has found friendly fire likely was to blame in the shootings of two border agents along the Arizona-Mexico border, the FBI said Friday.

The shootings Tuesday about five miles north of the border near Bisbee left one agent dead and another wounded.

“While it is important to emphasize that the FBI’s investigation is actively continuing, there are strong preliminary indications that the death of United States Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie and the injury to a second agent was the result of an accidental shooting incident involving only the agents,” FBI Special Agent in Charge James L. Turgal Jr. said in a statement.

Turgal said the FBI is using “all necessary investigative, forensic and analytical resources in the course of this investigation.” He did not elaborate.

Ivie was shot and killed after he and two other agents responded to an alarm triggered by a sensor aimed at detecting smugglers and others entering the U.S. illegally.

The other agent was shot in the ankle and buttocks but was released from the hospital after surgery. The third agent was uninjured.

David Klinger, a criminology professor at the University of Missouri at St. Louis and an expert in police shootings, said investigators trying to determine whether friendly fire occurred in a shooting involving law enforcement would compare the ballistics of officers’ guns with bullet slugs that were either recovered from or passed through an officer’s body.

The officers involved in the case and any known witnesses also would be asked to provide accounts of such a shooting during interviews with investigators. And investigators would try to establish where officers and witnesses were positioned at the time of the shooting, Klinger said.

After a meeting of border governors Friday in Albuquerque, N.M., Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer stood by the criticism she leveled earlier this week in response to the shooting in which she said a political stalemate and the federal government’s failures have left the border unsecured and Border Patrol agents in harm’s way.

“It’s the federal government’s responsibility to secure our border, and they need to do that, and then we can deal with all the other issues that have come about because our border hasn’t been secured,” said Brewer, who plans to attend Ivie’s memorial service Monday in Sierra Vista.

The Border Patrol couldn’t immediately comment on the frequency of friendly fire shootings at the agency, but such incidents appeared to be extremely rare.

Neither George McCubbin, president of the National Border Patrol Council, nor Kent Lundgren, chairman of the National Association of Former Border Patrol Officers, had ever heard of any friendly fire incidents in the Border Patrol.

“I know of absolutely none in the past, and my past goes back to 1968,” Lundgren said, citing the year he joined the Border Patrol. “I’m not saying it never happened. I’m just saying I’ve never heard of it.”

McCubbin has served in the Border Patrol since 1985.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano came to Arizona on Friday to express her condolences to Ivie’s family and meet with law enforcement authorities in southern Arizona about the investigation.

Christy Ivie, center, wife of Nicolas Ivie, holds back tears as she is surrounded by her family, her father Tracy and mother DeAnn Morris, left, and her sister, Jan Cloward, right front, and brother, Travis Morris, right back, during news conference about slain U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent Nicolas Ivie, on Thursday, Oct. 4 , 2012, at the Cochise College in Sierra Vista, Ariz. (Credit: AP)

Turgal also said in the statement that the FBI “extends our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family, friends and co-workers of Nicholas Ivie and to our partners in the United States Border Patrol.”

Ivie’s death marked the first fatal shooting of an agent since a deadly 2010 firefight with Mexican bandits that killed U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry in December 2010 and spawned congressional probes of a botched government gun-smuggling investigation.

Terry’s shooting was later linked to that “Fast and Furious” operation, which allowed people suspected of illegally buying guns for others to walk away from gun shops with weapons, rather than be arrested.

Authorities intended to track the guns into Mexico. Two rifles found at the scene of Terry’s shooting were bought by a member of the gun-smuggling ring being investigated. Critics of the operation say any shooting along the border now will raise the specter that those illegal weapons are still being used.

Twenty-six Border Patrol agents have died in the line of duty since 2002.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

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Comments (45)

ENIGMA28724
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 9:26pm
I smell a cover-up. Or a false-flag operation. When they start talking about doing ballistics checks on bullets that passed thru the agents body, I’d really like to know how you check bullets that went off into the wild blue yonder. Guess it would be too damning for another agent to be killed in the same area that another Border Patrol agent was killed less than two years ago. That border needs to be sealed. Period. Not with sensors but with real fencing, concertina wire and mine fields backed up with our military troops.

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Winedude
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:45pm
GREAT! Now we have a collection of armed crackers on the border shooting at each other. It matters not where the weapons came from, just that our guys made a gross mistake. I guess this could be another example of American exceptionalism…

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- ENIGMA28724
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 9:32pm
  I’m not a Border Patrol agent nor do I know any, but I am insulted by your “armed *******” statement. It is out of line and uncalled for. We have a young officer who died trying to protect my country, and I don’t like your attitude about it.
  
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- snufy
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 10:20pm
  Enigma, we are in agreement. I am a former federal investigator and this story is bulls**t. The agent was killed while mounted on a horse. The Border Patrol are trained professionals doing a crappy job with no appreciation from the Obama rats. I’m appaled at the Feeble Eye putting out knowingly false crap , even if it is at the direction of their superiors, to wit: Holder and Napolitano, on up to Obama. It’s not the first time they have lied to the people for politicians. How stupid do they think the people are?
  
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Lloyd Drako
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:56pm
Does it even matter? If it was friendly fire, then “he was killed by the government,” i.e., by Obama and Holder. If it was narco- Mexicanos, then Ivie was also killed by Obama and Holder because they clearly have not secured the border. If it was narco- Mexicanos with weapons bought under the watchful eyes of Fast and Furious, so much the better!

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Harvey
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 7:06am
Napolitano went to Arizona to instruct the agents on how to lie about one more Federal Agent that was killed by either Mexican drug smugglers or the Mexican Army.I only wish that the American male had the guts to stand up and tell the truh like they did when i was growing up.Why an American that says they love their Country would even work for people like we have running this Nation is something i dont understand.The people that work for this Administration are the most rude,arrogant and dishonest people i have ever had to deal with,not one of them would know the truth if it hit them between the eyes.

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- poorrichard09
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 8:52am
  @Harvey: Damn straight! This is all too convienient (sp) for the admin. Yes, he could have been shot with an American gun-right out of the fast and furious scam!
  
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- doomytram
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 9:19am
  How could this be Obamites? Obozo and Ronald Eric Holder Mcdonald have removed the bullets from the border agents. How could this be friendly fire huh? Folder and Obozo just let these dreamers walk across the border and if you try to arrest them then you will lose your job. The bullets are going to be in the guns of IRS agents, State Dept, Health and Human Services, and DHS Not Border agents…..
  See ***** Napalitano is only concerned with protecting Obozo and the bureaurats from Patriotic Veterans and Proud Hard working Tea Party loving Americans.
  
  Report this comment
voodoolife
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 6:44am
Romney, please stop this Nov. 7th. America is a shining city, do your best to keep her that way!

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Shark10
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 6:31am
Believing the FBI or the DOJ is a very hard task especially under President Barry Obama. Former FBI agents are embarrassed by what has happened to the agency under the watchful eye of the President. Everyone knows that the DOJ is a complete and total waste. The DOJ represents the IRS as well as the FDIC and other government agencies that investigate illegal activities within their jurisdiction. The DOJ is, in the majority of most cases, are just awful. All of those agencies that HAVE to use these so-called attorneys would be better off using first year law students instead of these lazy examples of attorneys.

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neverending
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:55am
Just heard on the local news that one of the agents has gotten legal counsel!!!

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- Velcro
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 11:34pm
  Standard operating procedure for the union’s attorneys to do this.
  
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MrDog
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:53am
Well that’s convenient!

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Biff_Poindexter
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:46am
Reminds me of the Pat Tillman story when were lied to about how he died and used him as a political football, only to find out it was friendly fire—That crooked Obama administration has been lying since way back then, oh wait……

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- Uranium Wedge
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 1:28am
  2-5% of deaths in war is “friendly fire”… Doesn’t mean their deaths were not part of the cause.
  Dumbass.
  
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Ronko
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:29am
What a slap in the face and another scandal that the admin will try to find some way to go under the rug. I have bad news for the Administration, it’s not going to work.

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VotersOfNY
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:18am
Just sweep another scandal of this administration under the rug.

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Chancellor
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:57pm
Slain Border Agent Likely Killed by Friendly Fire, FBI Says??????? With the Forensics they swear they have in court???

Is this the same FBI that swore that Kennedy was shot from the book Suppository, that the Branch Davidians shot first so they had to burn them out, the Kids dog on Ruby Ridge was a crazed pitbull so they shot it first and his mother in the doorway was carring a b o m b under her shirt so she got shot. said The other Kennedy wasn’t responcible for the girls death who was riding in his car when it drove off a bridge and she drown……and he let them know about it 4 hours later…….

The same FBI that covers for the Compulsive Liar, his administrations and the members of government Constant Embezzlement, example Charley Rangle, and does nothing about it

FBI? I don’t believe it!

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- blackyb
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:54am
  I don’t believe it either. Too close to elections.
  
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- rawmilker
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 8:46pm
  Nor I!
  
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MDECKER
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:40pm
My Prayers to the family of Nicholas Ivie.

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V-MindMeld
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:41pm
THERE is hope,,,Romney is rising in the polls,,,,,,I can’t handle the thought of another 4 years of this BS from O and his hoodlums

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- CatB
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:43pm
  Yes .. 4 more years and America will be gone .. btw .. anyone see this .. seems those “professionals” who did the unemployment numbers are Obama supporters .. have made $$$ donations to his re-election. So everything including this “friendly fire” needs to be met with a LOT of skepticism.
  
  Meet the Obama Donors at the BLS
  
  http://freebeacon.com/meet-the-obama-donors-at-the-bls/
  
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- blackyb
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 2:55am
  Obama will cheat this election if all states are not on extreme guard against it. They are all in too deep.
  
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V-MindMeld
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:35pm
This whole situation really sux down there,,,,,doesnt have to be this way,,,, these poor guys,,,,they all must feel abandon by obama,,,,,,,and wonder what the hec there supposed to be doing,,,,man we need new leadership,,,,I feel bad for the agent who shot him accidentally…AND still no justice for Bryan Terry,,,,,yet another on going obama cover-up….

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- CatB
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:01am
  Yes …. like our people overseas also .. who asked for more security and were turned down by the Obama regime and then killed.
  
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pissantno.10
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:35pm
well how dare you blame LORD OBAMA and soon to be KING HOLDER of any bad doings . they love all people as long as they pay in cash

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neverending
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:32pm
I won’t believe these sorry sob’s even if they tell me it is raining and it is pouring down rain right in front of my eyes. These are lying, ruthless, evil and give a whole new meaning to corrupt. This makes me so sick because this is another precious life gone for no reason. Guess can’t expect much more from a liar in chief who has gone to great lengths to make sure they can kill as many precious babies as they want to and to make sure bastardbarry went the extra mile for the ones who may have lived through it to have the total hatchet man right there. Life means absolutely nothing to them!

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- ENIGMA28724
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 9:29pm
  Could not have said it better myself. It is sad when a government lies to its people so often than when they possibly tell the truth no one believes them. And I’m not saying we were told the truth here either.
  
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The-Monk
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:13pm
“A preliminary investigation has found friendly fire likely was to blame in the shootings of two border agents along the Arizona-Mexico border, the FBI said Friday.”

No kidding? I’ve been saying that for over a year about Brian Terry. What is the definition of “friendly fire” anyways? Your own people shoot you in the back? Then leave you in the middle of no place in the middle of the night? Then the FBI arrests 4 or 5 people then lets them go only to say they are going to look for the people they already had in custody? And they are released and back in Mexico?

Yeah right, tell me another story. Grey aliens, Star Wars, 80 miles of clean borders and illegal aliens that are following US Law and have the right to vote regardless of their illegal immigration status.

Go LaRaza and all those commie House socialists….

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- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:24pm
  Hi MONK, you are dead on sir. Nothing else I can add to that.
  
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- jimbo_from_suwanee
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:41pm
  Maybe someone played on offensive video to the FBI? We know how those things cause spontaneous assassinations. After all, the president would never mislead us?
  
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mash4077
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:03pm
the fbi is losing credibility thanks to their bosses.

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- neverending
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:49pm
  Certainly wonder how many of them are lining right up behind the “boss”
  
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- Copper Catfish
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:30pm
  Neverending: Only the ones who are still alive. That’s why they are still alive!
  
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kalli
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:03pm
I don’t believe anything investigated by this admin, the FBI, the DOJ, ATF, DHS, whoever, are capable of telling the truth. This is the most corrupt admin in history that tries to cover up everything that happens. Four Americans were murdered in Benghazi on 9/11. Today is October 5 and the admin is still hoping this is swept under the rug, and everyone will forget. I cannot believe how blind the people are shown at campaign events surrounding the criminal-in-chief, clapping and cheering for this disgraceful and despicable man.

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- mash4077
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:15pm
  amen. it’s like a bad dream we can’t wake up from. it blows my mind that there are people who are still vote for him.
  
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:57pm
Now I will give a benefit of a doubt on this matter; until the entire investigation is done – yet based on the radio sources discussing the matter here in AZ, one question keeps nagging at me, sources claim the border agents responded to fire coming at them – even if it was an accidental friendly fire, who shot at them first?

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- TSUNAMI_22
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:07pm
  Exactly, that’s part of why I don’t buy any of it. I think this is all about another potential embarrassment for Obama and Holder and we just can’t have that stuff fresh in the minds of the American people before the debates or the election.
  
  People are being sacrificed for a bunch of seditious behavior and nonsense and it makes me livid.
  
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- CatB
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:45pm
  Pray for the survivors … remember dead men tell no tales .. seems to be the Democrat mantra.
  
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- jcdaley
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 3:00am
  It was a full moon that night. No possible way to mistake where the shots came from. If the ammo was the same then the cartels have access to BP guns and ammo or the FBI is lying. We have had incidents on the border before where FBI has taken evidence then denied its existence. (prayer rugs and Q’aran found on smuggling trails). Once they are involved nothing is certain.
  
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TSUNAMI_22
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:56pm
I don’t buy it. Too convenient because we all KNOW it couldn’t be from cartel people or Fast & Furious weapons especially just before the election, let alone the next debates.

Right.

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- neverending
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:01pm
  I don’t buy it either. AND it appears he is a Mormon.
  
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- taxpro4u03
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:06pm
  Green on Blue ring a bail? (Southern dialect for ‘bell’) You don’t ‘suit up’ to take on the ‘bad guys’ to be shut down by ‘superiors.’ — GET IT YET? They’ve been putting mittens on cats and told to catch RATS for a while now… WISE UP. DISENGAGE and come HOME. We need you HERE.
  
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- RepubliCorp
  Posted on October 6, 2012 at 12:27am
  How much time do they need to figure out it was friendly fire?
  
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