Hiker Attacked by Suspected Cartel Members in California Wilderness Area
A hiker was brutally attacked by suspected cartel members in the Jacumba Wilderness area near the US-Mexico border in San Diego County, California, according to the US Border Patrol El Centro Sector.
The incident occurred around noon on Wednesday when a group of US citizens was hiking in the area. Two suspected cartel members, armed with handguns, confronted the group and began yelling at them in Spanish. When the hikers didn’t understand, the gunmen yelled “come”. The group feared they would be kidnapped and turned away, prompting the gunmen to fire two shots in the air. When the hikers still didn’t respond, the cartel members fired shots, striking one of the hikers in the leg.
Agents from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) responded to the scene and successfully rescued the hikers, evacuating them and neutralizing any remaining threats. The injured hiker is expected to recover.
The US Border Patrol confirmed that its elite Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) and marksmen are saturating the area to ensure the safety of citizens.
In a statement, the Border Patrol emphasized that it will not tolerate cartel violence, saying, “These cartels think they can bring their war to American soil. Let this serve as a WARNING: The El Centro Sector will not stand idly by. The safety of our citizens is NOT negotiable; cartel terrorists have no place in our country preying on the innocent. Enough is enough.”
