Agency confirms agent fatally shot man at U.S.-Canada border

SUMAS — The man shot on the U.S.-Canada border near Sumas, Washington, was in the country illegally and wanted in connection with a murder in another jurisdiction, officials for U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Friday.

The man was approached by two border agents after setting off ground sensors when crossing the border on Thursday afternoon, the agency said. He displayed “erratic and threatening” behavior toward the agents and sprayed one of them with an incapacitating spray, the agency said.

One of the agents then shot and killed the man.

His identity and other details were not immediately released. The agent who was sprayed with the chemical required medical attention but was not seriously hurt, the agency said.

“People cross the international border to bring crime and violence to our communities,” said Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo at a news conference.

A multiagency task force, including the sheriff’s office, will investigate the shooting, which occurred shortly after 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. Sumas is about 100 miles north of Seattle.

Officials released few details at the news conference, saying the investigation was in the early stages.

They declined to release other details about the dead man. “We have not confirmed his citizenship,” Elfo said.

A hatchet was found in the man’s backpack, but it was not displayed at the agents, Elfo said. “It was apparent he was erratic and aggressively approached the agents,” he said.

One agent’s face was burned by the spray, which Elfo did not identify.

The two agents involved have 10 and 19 years of service, respectively, with the border agency. They were not identified Friday.