US helicopter shot from Mexican side of border, authorities say

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in Texas after it was struck by gunfire from the Mexican side of the border Friday.

Laredo Police were called by border patrol, who said “one of their helicopters had received gunfire,” said police spokesman Joe Baeza.

The helicopter was flying over an area notorious for illegal border crossings and narcotics smuggling.

“Our helicopter actually landed in Laredo and there were no injuries,” the U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.

In a statement, the FBI said the helicopter was struck several times by gunfire about 5 p.m. during an operational flight near the Rio Grande in Laredo.

“The rounds penetrated and damaged the aircraft, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing,” the FBI statement said. “The pilot sustained no injuries and no individuals on the ground were affected.”

Preliminary indications are that the gunfire came from the Mexican side of the border, Laredo Police said.

While it’s not unusual to hear gunshots, incidents of cross border shootings are rare, Baeza said.

The FBI and Texas Rangers were processing the shooting scene.