Fronteras

Michel Marizco

Seven bullet holes are circled in red on one of the walls where a Border Patrol agent's bullets struck the night Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez died. The agency says Rodriguez was among a group throwing rocks at a Border Patrol agent. Another bullet hole lies outside of this image. The international border fence is to the left.

A federal judge in Tucson ordered the name of the Border Patrol agent who shot and killed a Mexican teen should be made public Thursday.

The agent’s name had been released to the victim’s family in September, but under the condition it be kept sealed while the case continues. 

Lonnie Swartz has been identified as the Border Patrol agent who fatally shot 16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez through the border fence two years ago. The victim’s mother, Araceli Rodriguez, opposed keeping the agent’s name confidential. 

“We are extremely pleased the court recognized the value in transparency and accountability, which has been lacking with respect to Border Patrol activities,” Lee Gelernt said. He is the ACLU’s head lawyer for the family. 

Border Patrol has claimed the teen was part of a group throwing rocks at agents across the border in Nogales, putting them in danger.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection did not release a statement on the ruling Thursday.

The judge’s decision concluded the importance of public access outweighs the agent’s argument for anonymity.

The ACLU has filed a lawsuit on behalf of the boy’s mother against Swartz. An FBI investigation of the case is ongoing.