San Diego, CA–One person is dead following an attempt by a large group of people to illegally enter the U.S. by swimming around the border barrier and making their way to the beach at Border Field State Park in San Diego.
On October 29, at approximately 11:38 p.m., U.S. Border Patrol agents received a notification of a group of possibly 70 people attempting to illegally swim across the international boundary from Tijuana into the U.S. at Border Field State Park.
An unresponsive woman believed to be from the group of swimmers. Border Patrol agents immediately performed CPR on the woman while requesting the response of emergency medical services including San Diego Fire-Rescue Department firefighters and lifeguards. Paramedics arrived on the scene and continued medical aid. At approximately 12:30 a.m., the unresponsive woman was pronounced dead by paramedics.
U.S. Border Patrol, along with Air and Marine Operations, U.S. Coast Guard, San Diego fire crews, and California State Parks continued to search the area in efforts to locate any outstanding persons who may have been in distress. Border Patrol agents took a total of 36 adult Mexican nationals into custody who had swam around the border barrier, 25 men and 11 women, including 13 people the U.S. Coast Guard rescued from the water. All 36 persons were taken into custody and transported to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing.
“This is yet another example of the ruthless tactics smuggling organizations use to bolster their power and profits.” said San Diego Sector’s Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “We will work tirelessly to pursue and bring to justice those responsible for this tragedy.”
