Gunmen in Deadly Mexican Police Shootout Possibly Tied to Texas Crash

Vehicle from hit and run crash in El Paso could be tied to police shooting.

Lapolaca photo of fatal shootout and fire scene

(CIUDAD / SALEM) - A tragic deadly shooting at a Mexican police station may be tied to a crash that happened in El Paso's Lower Valley, shortly before the vehicle, a Chevy Suburban, fled the scene in Texas and crossed in Mexico at the Ysleta Port of Entry.

Border officials are believed to have fired at the wrecked vehicle that was able to make the international crossing in spite of body damage, while being pursued by American police for fleeing the scene of an accident. We're told a police sergeant gave chase for a short period, but lost the Suburban near the Zarzgosa Bridge.

We know that gunmen attacked the Benito Juarez police substation in Zaragoza at approximately 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning. Initial reports are still "sketchy", our source in Juarez tells Salem-News.com, but El Paso Police on the US side believe gunfire they heard was the attack on the police substation in Mexico.

In Mexico at least 5 were killed, when at least 20 or more gunmen took part in the attack on the police building.

Remains of charred Suburban possibly from Texas.

Neighbors told local reporters it was an armed attack on the Benito Juárez Municipal Police station in Fraccionamiento Maria Isabel.

They say about 25 gunmen approached the police headquarters and began firing their weapons, sparking a firefight that led to a fierce battle on the outskirts of Zaragoza.

The gunbattle that lasted over an hour, drew the response of many police and also led to the closure of nearby streets.

A burned Suburban truck with two men inside charred from the fire was found at the scene. Police believe the men were being pursued by federal agents when they died.

Two injured federal agents and taken to hospital Star Medica.

Another vehicle, a Ford Bronco, was abandoned behind the Benito Juarez barracks with a pool of blood inside, it is unknown what happened to the driver.

Customs authorities were forced to temporarily close the international Zaragoza / Ysleta Bridge between the two cities resumed after 8:00 a.m. Sunday.

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 covering the war in Afghanistan, and he was in Iraq over the summer of 2008, reporting from the war while embedded with both the U.S. Army and the Marines.

Tim holds numerous awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing, including the Oregon AP Award for Spot News Photographer of the Year (2004), first place Electronic Media Award in Spot News, Las Vegas, (1998), Oregon AP Cooperation Award (1991); and several others including the 2005 Red Cross Good Neighborhood Award for reporting. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website. You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com