Federal authorities have launched a comprehensive probe into the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Alex Prendas, an unarmed teenager who was killed by US Border Patrol agents in Arizona last year.
The investigation, led by the Department of Justice (DoJ), aims to determine whether the actions of the agents involved were justified and followed proper protocols. The DoJ stated that it is committed to identifying any systemic issues or institutional failures that may have contributed to Prendas' death.
According to the authorities, Prendas was shot after allegedly approaching the border fence with a 15-year-old boy he had been with at the time. However, witnesses and Prendas' family members dispute this account, claiming he was simply looking for a way to climb over the fence when shots were fired.
The DoJ has confirmed that it is examining several factors, including whether the agents followed established procedures for handling individuals attempting to cross the border. It is also investigating reports of alleged verbal warnings and attempts to use non-lethal force before Prendas was shot.
This latest development in the case comes as tensions surrounding the treatment of migrants at the US-Mexico border continue to simmer. Civil rights groups have long accused border authorities of using excessive force against asylum seekers, citing instances of deadly shootings and inadequate medical care.
The investigation is expected to shed light on whether Prendas' death was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern of misconduct by the Border Patrol. The DoJ has vowed to be transparent throughout the process and provide regular updates as new information becomes available.
The investigation, led by the Department of Justice (DoJ), aims to determine whether the actions of the agents involved were justified and followed proper protocols. The DoJ stated that it is committed to identifying any systemic issues or institutional failures that may have contributed to Prendas' death.
According to the authorities, Prendas was shot after allegedly approaching the border fence with a 15-year-old boy he had been with at the time. However, witnesses and Prendas' family members dispute this account, claiming he was simply looking for a way to climb over the fence when shots were fired.
The DoJ has confirmed that it is examining several factors, including whether the agents followed established procedures for handling individuals attempting to cross the border. It is also investigating reports of alleged verbal warnings and attempts to use non-lethal force before Prendas was shot.
This latest development in the case comes as tensions surrounding the treatment of migrants at the US-Mexico border continue to simmer. Civil rights groups have long accused border authorities of using excessive force against asylum seekers, citing instances of deadly shootings and inadequate medical care.
The investigation is expected to shed light on whether Prendas' death was an isolated incident or part of a broader pattern of misconduct by the Border Patrol. The DoJ has vowed to be transparent throughout the process and provide regular updates as new information becomes available.