23 May 2023 , 15:46
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An investigation has been launched by the FBI after a tribal member was shot by US-Mexico Border Patrol agents in southern Arizona, while reportedly just two feet from his own front door.
The FBI and Tohono O'odham Nation are working to investigate the fatal shooting, which took place on Thursday night.
The victim has been named as Raymond Mattia.
In a statement released on Monday, May 22, US Customs and Border Protection said tribal police had asked Border Patrol agents for help in responding to reports of shots fired west of the Menagers Dam community on tribal land near the US-Mexico border in Ajo.
Agents were told at around 9.30pm there were reports indicating shots had been fired near the home of a "named individual" and a tribal officer went to the location to look for the person, with the agents following in separate cars, according to the statement.
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The FBI are investigating the shooting of Raymond Mattia (KVOA)
Raymond Mattia's family have said he was just feet from his front door when he was shot (KVOA)Just a few minutes after arriving, the officer and agents encountered a man outside a home near their parked cars, the statement said.
The man reportedly threw some kind of object toward the officer, landing a few feet away, and then "abruptly extended his right arm away from his body and three agents fired their service weapons, striking the individual several times."
Due to bad weather, there was no air ambulance available to take the man to hospital, according to authorities.
Despite the best efforts of those on the scene, the man was declared dead just after 10pm.
An autopsy was reportedly conducted, though it's been said the Pima County Medical Examiner's Office didn't immediately release any details.
Three Border Patrol agents are reported to have opened fire, with as many as seven others wearing body cameras having activated them during the incident, the statement said.
Flowers at the scene where Raymond Mattia was shot (KVOA)On Sunday, May 21, tribal chairman Ned Norris Jr identified the man as Mr Mattia, who was a member of the Tohono O'odham Nation.
In a statement, Mr Norris said: "Nation member Raymond Mattia lost his life in the incident.
"Our hearts go out to his family and all those impacted during this difficult time.
"As the investigation proceeds, the Nation expects full consideration of all related facts of the incident and an appropriate and expeditious response from relevant public safety agencies.
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"Because the investigation is ongoing, we will refrain from making further comment at this time."
Mr Norris and Border Patrol didn't immediately release details about the shooting, including whether investigators had confirmed earlier reports of gunfire and whether there were any weapons found.
Tucson TV station KVOA reported earlier that Mr Mattia's family members, who didn't want to be identified by name, said he had called Border Patrol because there were multiple migrants who had trespassed into his property and he wanted assistance in getting them removed.
Family members also said Mr Mattia went outside when he saw the agents approaching his property and was only two feet from his front door when multiple shots were fired at him.
Those details couldn't immediately be verified.