Communities on both sides of the border will hold a series of events to commemorate the death of a Nogales teen shot by a Border Patrol agent on Oct. 10, 2012.
The shooting of José Antonio Elena Rodríguez occurred about 11:30 p.m. when Nogales police officers and U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to a call of suspected smuggling at the border fence and said they were barraged by rocks thrown from Mexico.
The agent shot through the fence and hit Elena Rodriguez at least eight times, with all but one bullet striking him in the back. Witnesses said the 16-year-old was walking down the street that runs along the base of a 30-foot rock face. The border fence stands another 20 feet on top of the rock face.
- Today there will be a vigil at 10 a.m. in front of the federal courthouse, 405 W. Congress, before the arraignment of Border Patrol Agent Lonnie Swartz, who was indicted last month on suspicion of second-degree murder in the shooting.
- On Saturday, Oct. 10, there will be a silent procession beginning at Purisima Concepción Catholic Church, one block south of the border. It will be followed by Mass at 5:30 p.m. and another vigil from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Calle Internacional and Ingenieros street, the spot where the teen died.
Email, borderPatrolVictimsNetwork@gmail.com for more information or call 520-988-1722.
