CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – An individual was shot early Sunday morning near the Canadian border in New Hampshire by a U.S. Border Patrol agent who was reportedly returning fire during an exchange of gunfire. The incident took place in the town of Pittsburg, which has a small population of approximately 800 people and serves as New Hampshire's sole border crossing with Canada.
The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. in the vicinity of the port of entry, drawing immediate attention from law enforcement and federal agencies. The FBI has confirmed that the person who was shot has been taken to a hospital for medical treatment, although details about their identity and condition have not been disclosed.
The Border Patrol agent involved in the shooting was unharmed. A spokesperson for the agency reported that the agent was responding to shots fired by the suspect. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott stated that initial reports suggested the individual opened fire on the agent, prompting the agent to return fire in self-defense.
The FBI’s Boston field office is actively investigating the incident in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of New Hampshire. Officials have refrained from providing further details regarding the suspect or the circumstances that led to the gunfire exchange. The U.S. Attorney's Office has indicated that information will be made available should charges be filed against the individual involved.
Pittsburg, located around 150 miles (241 kilometers) north of Concord, the state capital, is a largely rural area that also borders Maine and Vermont, in addition to Canada. The shooting incident occurred near the town's international border crossing, which is typically known for its tranquility. The length of the border between New Hampshire and Canada stretches for nearly 60 miles (97 kilometers), highlighting the significance of this location.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities from the FBI, CBP, and the U.S. Attorney's Office are working together to gather more information and ensure a thorough examination of the circumstances that led to this potentially violent encounter.
The incident raises important questions regarding border security and the protocols followed by law enforcement agents in critical situations. As authorities continue to investigate, the local community and beyond are left to consider the implications of such exchanges of gunfire, particularly in regions associated with peaceful border crossings.
