On March 19, 2022, at approximately 7:54 a.m. CST, personnel at the U.S. Border Patrol’s Uvalde Station were notified by the Del Rio Border Intelligence Center of a 911 call placed by a 45-year-old undocumented Mexican migrant who indicated he was in medical distress and could no longer walk. The Border Intelligence Center was able to obtain coordinates during a telephone call with the man which placed him in a remote area approximately 18 miles west of La Pryor, Texas. A Border Patrol Agent responded to the area and began to search for him.
The Border Patrol Agent located the man alone in a densely vegetated and secluded area at approximately 10:05 a.m. and transported him approximately 42.3 miles to the Uvalde Border Patrol Station for evaluation by CBP contracted medical personnel. The medical provider evaluated the man at approximately 11:51 a.m. and noted he complained about stomach pain and not having food nor water for several days. The medical provider determined his vitals were good and provided him with Pedialyte for his dehydration. CBP-contracted medical personnel monitored him and cleared him for travel once he said he felt better.
A Border Patrol Agent transported the man at approximately 12:48 p.m. to the Uvalde Border Patrol checkpoint for further processing and detention. The man again complained of stomach pain while at the checkpoint, and a Border Patrol Agent/Emergency Medical Technician was requested. The EMT arrived a short time later and observed the man lying on the floor in the holding cell. Border Patrol Agents assisted him onto a bench where the EMT evaluated him and determined he needed additional medical assistance. Based on his current condition, the EMT decided to transport the man to the Uvalde Memorial Hospital in his Border Patrol vehicle instead of waiting for Uvalde Emergency Medical Services.
The EMT arrived with the man at approximately 2:04 p.m. at Uvalde Memorial Hospital where medical personnel evaluated, stabilized and placed him on a ventilator. Medical personnel decided to transfer the man due to his condition to an advanced care facility at Metropolitan Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.
The man was transported at approximately 4:30 p.m. to Metropolitan Methodist Hospital by a Uvalde Medical Services ambulance. The ambulance arrived at approximately 6:08 p.m. and the man was admitted into Metropolitan Methodist Hospital’s Medical Intensive Care Unit under CBP watch.
The man succumbed to his ailments and was declared deceased by Metropolitan Methodist Hospital medical personnel on March 20, 2022, at approximately 9:48 a.m.
This incident is being investigated by the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office and is being reviewed by the CBP Office of Professional Responsibility. The DHS Office of Inspector General was also notified.