Four shot by border agents' gunfire at port of entry

Federal agents fired shots today as three vans apparently filled with illegal immigrants tried to run the border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry near San Diego, California, and four people were injured. The port was closed shortly after the incident about 3:30 p.m., creating a massive rush-hour traffic jam on the Tijuana side as drivers were turned back into Mexico.

Preliminary reports indicate that an agent for the U.S. Border Patrol and a U.S. Immigrations and Customs agent fired their guns, said Angelica De Cima, a customs spokeswoman. De Cima said more than 70 people from the three vans were taken into custody. Lauren Mack, spokeswoman for ICE, said the incident was related to human smuggling.

Maurice Luque, spokesman for the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, said three people in the vans suffered life-threatening injuries. Two were taken to UCSD Medical Center and one was taken to Mercy Hospital. The fourth victim was taken to Mercy Hospital. That person was in a vehicle that got caught in the crossfire, Luque said. The injury was not life-threatening,