A Texas National Guard soldier died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Eagle Pass, Texas on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed in a statement.
“Cecilia and I are deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of a soldier with the Texas National Guard. Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the soldier,” Abbott’s statement read. “Texas Rangers are leading the investigation, as the Texas National Guard and Texas Department of Public Safety coordinate with local law enforcement.”
“I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for the soldier’s family during this heartbreaking time. And for any Texan who is in crisis, we urge you to seek help immediately from a family member, loved one, or a mental health service,” it continued.
Abbott also shared crisis support resources for military service members and veterans, which can be found on the Texas Military Department website. Crisis mental health resources are also available and can be found on the Texas Human and Health Services website.
“We are deeply saddened to have lost one of our own today. We extend our deepest condolences to the family,” Maj. Gen. Thomas Suelzer, the Texas Adjutant General, said in a statement.
Fox News reporter Griff Jenkins first reported the tragic shooting.
Video of the scene showed a massive police presence early Tuesday.
More than 2 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at the US-Mexico border so far this year, shattering last year’s all-time record despite one month remaining in this fiscal year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data released in September showed.
CBP encounters at the southwest border reached 2,150,639 in August, topping last year’s record-breaking total of 1,734,686.
Vice President Kamala Harris recently insisted that the U.S.-Mexico border is secure despite the record-breaking number of illegal immigrants entering the U.S.
“We have a secure border in that that is a priority for any nation, including ours and our administration. But there are still a lot of problems that we are trying to fix given the deterioration that happened over the last four years,” Harris said.
