Two Border Patrol agents were shot on Tuesday and one, Agent Nicholas Ivie, was killed. The shooting took place near the newly named Brian Terry Border Patrol Station. The natural assumption was that they were victims of cross-border drug runners. And it was hard not to wonder if, as in the murder of Agent Terry, Fast and Furious-related guns were involved. Mexican troops even arrested two suspects in the shootings. But if new reports are to be believed . . .
The shootings were apparently a tragic case of friendly fire.
Investigators are preparing to announce that the death of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas Ivie in Arizona earlier this week was the result of friendly fire — accidental gunfire from another agent who responded to the same scene, state and federal officials told NBC News on Friday.
The conclusion is based on an analysis of the ballistics, the lack of evidence of other criminals in the area at the time, and other factors, the sources said.
The FBI released a statement later on Friday confirming that preliminary evidence showed friendly fire was to blame in the shootings.
The agents had responded to an alarm indicating movement along the border area. An FBI spokesman said further details would be released “at the appropriate time.” Watch this space.