Migrant killed by falling border fence was Colombian – San Diego Union-Tribune

US Customs and Border Protection released more details on Friday after a 62-year-old Colombian man died last week after climbing a fence at the US-Mexico border.

The Nov. 8 incident began at approximately 5:42 a.m. when federal agents identified a small group of suspected noncitizens scaling the border fence using a homemade ladder west of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

One person in the group returned to Mexico, while three headed north of the 30-foot secondary border fence, officials said. When the Border Patrol arrived, the two men were at the top of the north barrier and began to descend.

One man, identified by the medical examiner as Edgar Guillermo Hernandez, fell during the descent and landed on the north side of the secondary fence. The second man ran north after getting out, but was later apprehended, officials said.

The agent, initially separated from Hernandez by a secondary barrier, called for medics and reported that the injured man was conscious and breathing, officials said.

However, minutes later, San Diego Fire-Rescue and paramedics were notified that he was “physically unresponsive.” He was pronounced dead at 6:25 am

He died from blunt force trauma, the forensic medical examination established.

The case is being reviewed by CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General was also notified.

Originally published: November 15, 2024 at 3:55 PM PST