FBI Offers $25,000 in Border Agent's Death
The FBI announced Tuesday that it is offering a $25,000 reward for information it can use to solve the case of a Border Patrol agent who died in Texas on Sunday.
The FBI is not calling Border Patrol agent Rogelio Martinez's death a murder but rather a "potential assault."
That’s very different than statements by Arizona Congresswoman Martha McSally or Texas Gov. Greg Abbott who condemned the death as a murder. Or the statements of President Donald Trump who had earlier vowed to "seek out and bring to justice those responsible."
At a news conference in El Paso, FBI Special-Agent-in-Charge Emmerson Buie said only that he had not briefed the president on the case.
Rogelio Martinez and a second agent were found early Sunday. Martinez was unconscious and later died at an area hospital. His partner who has not been identified remains in critical but stable condition.
Victor Velazquez is acting Border Patrol sector chief in Big Bend.
In a statement, he said, "I want to thank the members of our community and the American people for their kind words during this period — it means a lot. Please join me in offering condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Border Patrol Agent Rogelio Martinez. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers as they cope with this loss."
