Associated Press
SUMAS, Wash. — The Whatcom County, Washington, sheriff says a U.S. Border Patrol agent has fatally shot a man near Sumas, Washington, along the border with British Columbia.
The Bellingham Herald reports the man was shot in the head Thursday afternoon in an apparent confrontation with law enforcement.
The newspaper says that shortly before the fatal shooting, a Sumas police officer reported shots had been fired and asked for backup.
A Border Patrol agent also was at the scene. Sheriff Bill Elfo says the agent shot the unidentified man who died.
The road where the shooting took place is less than 1,000 feet from the U.S.-Canada border. Police, the FBI, border authorities and the sheriff’s office responded.
Elfo says a multiagency team will investigate the shooting. A Border Patrol spokesman said the agency was working on a statement.
The small border crossing at Sumas is about 100 miles north of Seattle.
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