Body Camera Footage Released in Fatal Shooting of Tribal Member by Border Patrol Agents
PHOENIX (AP) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released body camera footage that sheds light on the fatal shooting of Raymond Mattia, a tribal member, by Border Patrol agents last month. The incident occurred on a remote corner of the Tohono O’odham Nation in southern Arizona.
The video, released late Thursday, shows Mattia throwing a sheathed machete at the foot of a tribal officer before holding out his arm. This aligns with the CBP’s earlier account of events. However, the footage also reveals the agents’ concern that Mattia may have been carrying a handgun during the encounter. After Mattia was shot and on the ground, an agent can be heard saying, “He’s still got a gun in his hand.” Despite their concerns, no handgun was found at the scene.
The shooting took place on the night of May 18 outside a home in the Menagers Dam community of the Tohono O’odham Nation, near the U.S.-Mexico border. The Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department had called the Border Patrol agents for assistance in response to a report of shots fired.
According to the Pima County Medical Examiner’s examination report, Mattia sustained nine gunshot wounds. The toxicology report revealed that he had a high blood alcohol level and drugs in his system, including amphetamine and oxycodone.
The FBI and the Tohono O’odham Nation are currently investigating the shooting, but no findings have been released yet. Additionally, CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting its own review of the incident.
The three Border Patrol agents who opened fire, as well as at least seven others present at the scene, were wearing body cameras and activated them during the shooting. These agents are currently on leave with pay.
CBP stated that no air ambulance was available to transport Mattia to a hospital due to bad weather conditions. Despite efforts to save his life, he was declared dead at the scene after consultation with a physician at a Tucson hospital.
CBP has implemented a body camera program, issuing approximately 7,000 body cameras to agency workplaces since its launch in August 2021. This year, the agency has released body camera footage of several fatal shootings involving its agents, including a shooting near Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 2. In that case, agents shot a man who allegedly came after them with a wooden club after evading a checkpoint and leading them on a lengthy chase.
The release of the body camera footage aims to provide transparency and accountability in incidents involving law enforcement. The ongoing investigations will determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and whether any actions taken by the Border Patrol agents were justified.
What are the implications of the agents’ perception of threat and use of lethal force in the shooting of Mattia, and how does it raise questions regarding their training and accountability
A remote area of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Border Patrol agents responded to a report of a suspicious individual and encountered Mattia, who was armed with a machete. The video shows the initial interaction between Mattia and the tribal officer, who attempted to de-escalate the situation by communicating with him.
As Mattia throws the sheathed machete, which lands near the tribal officer, the situation intensifies. The body camera footage shows Mattia holding out his arm, giving the agents reason to believe he may be armed. The agents repeatedly ask Mattia to show his hands, but he does not comply. This leads to one of the agents firing several shots at Mattia, who falls to the ground.
Immediately after the shooting, agents can be heard expressing concern about the possibility of a handgun. However, the video shows that no firearm was found at the scene. The released footage raises questions about the agents’ perception of threat and their use of lethal force.
The Tohono O’odham Nation has voiced their concerns over the incident, calling for accountability and transparency. They have requested a thorough investigation into the shooting, including an examination of the agents’ actions leading up to the encounter. The tribal council is working closely with CBP to ensure a comprehensive review of the incident.
The release of the body camera footage marks a step towards transparency and providing the public with insight into the deadly encounter. It not only raises important questions about the use of force by Border Patrol agents but also highlights the importance of thorough investigations into such incidents.
The shooting of Raymond Mattia is another instance that adds to the ongoing debate surrounding law enforcement’s use of force, especially in encounters involving individuals from marginalized communities. This case brings to light the issues of bias, accountability, and training within law enforcement agencies, which are crucial areas that need to be addressed in order to prevent such tragedies from recurring.
