Witnesses say Border Patrol Agent Gunned Down Unarmed Latino Woman, Car was in Reverse

From [HERE] and [HERE] Some eyewitnesses to a shooting Friday by a plainclothes Border Patrol agent, who claims he was forced to open fire on Valeria Alvarado (aka Valeria Tachiquin), 32, behind the wheel of her car, are contradicting the federal officials' version of events. Border Patrol authorities said that the woman rammed a U.S. Border Patrol agent with a car Friday on a residential South Bay road, hurling him onto the hood of the vehicle and prompting him to fatally shoot her through the windshield in self-defense, authorities reported.

The lawman was in southwestern Chula Vista with other undercover personnel to serve a felony arrest warrant when the dark-green Honda Accord struck him in the 600 block of Moss Street about 1 p.m., according to police and federal officials. Alvarado was not the subject of the warrant.

"The agent ... was hit by the vehicle and carried several hundred yards on the hood before, fearing for his life, (he) did discharge his weapon to get the vehicle to stop," Border Patrol Deputy Chief Rodney Scott told reporters. The suspect was armed with a vehicle, and literally ran our agent down."

Some eyewitnesses to the incident have contradicted the Border Patrol's account of the shooting. Witnesses said they saw Alvarado slowly driving in reverse as the agent opened fire on her at least six times.

"As the car was backing up the officer was in the street walking toward the car, and discharging. The officer never got struck by the vehicle," recalled witness Prince Watson.

"The vehicle was actually moving in reverse." Area resident Hector Salazar told NBC 7 San Diego "I just saw an agent with a gun walking toward the car and yelling," he said. "But the person inside didn't respond."

Eduardo Camacho, a witness, told NBC 7 that he saw a woman with several bullets in her chest and the officer was very shaken up.

"He nearly fell to his knees," Camacho said. "I saw his knees buckling. He started shaking all over."

Alvarado's family members say they are demanding answers.

"I want justice!" shouted Alvarado's husband, Gilbert Alvarado. "Whoever shot my wife... he needs to get shot. He needs to get justice served."

Medics took the agent to a hospital. Scott said he did not know the extent of his injuries. "But he was impacted by a vehicle pretty hard," the spokesman added.

Alvarado was not the subject of the warrant, Scott told news crews. That suspect remained at large in the late afternoon, he said.

The Chula Vista Police Department was investigating the case in conjunction with the Border Patrol and U.S. Inspector General's Office, CVPD Lt. Lon Turner said.

Comments

[R]

Ok really? The agent needs to be shot? I understand the husband is distraught over losing his wife, but when a car strikes a person walking int he middle of the road, you shouldnt keep driving wether or not that person is carrying a firearm. your first response should be to stop the car and check on the human being... I mean come on, if I hit a dog while I am driving, I would stop and check on it and try and assist it not continue on driving!

[Jacob sanchez]

to the post above u obviously have no clue hat the facts of this are an no clue what loss is and although his words were harsh they were the words of a man who just lost his wife. I went to high school with this woman and live across the street in the apts where the shooting took place, the officer is lying he was not hit, we were taking our dog for a walk and heard the shots, we didn't hear anyone telling the car to stop, just 8-9 shots in a row. a couple minutes later the police showed up and took the officer away, he didn't appear injured and he wasn't wearing any law enforcement uniform. he probably looked like some madman pulling a gun to her and she panicked. the ambulance came and tried to revive her but after like 20 mins they left cuz she was obviously dead and then they just left her body there under a tarp for the next 9 hrs. The border patrol is always shoot first and ask questions later. I hope this agent gets fired and I know the family will sue his and the Border patrols pants off.

[John]

I remember Monique from CVHS as she was also Class of 98. I don't believe for one second that she attempted to run down anyone. She had 5 kids and a husband to live for. I'd like to see a report of the officers injuries from the hospital, and explain how eyewitness accounts though interviewed separately reflect the same story which differs significantly from what the Border Patrol and media have been feeding the public. Ultimately only the undercover officer knows why he unloaded his magazine into this woman who is loved and remembered by many in the community.

[Concerned Citizen]

Well, the investigation is still fresh, and we citizens are only getting bits and pieces of info at this time. Whatever the truth is, it will come out in time. The caved-in windscreen certainly seems to support the officer's claim at this point.
To Jacob Sanchez: You sir are what's known as an "ear witness", and your testimony will be important in finding the truth of this case. But because you didn't SEE the event, I respectfully suggest you not yet form a personal opinion about what actually happened. Your bit of info is an important piece of the puzzle, but it is exactly that ~ only one piece. Please add your bit of info into the case and stand back....hopefully your piece will help the total picture emerge.
Having said that, I'm sorry you lost a friend and hope you can remain objective about what might have actually happened here.

[B. Rass]

Advice to people of all colors: DO NOT RUN DOWN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.
It can be very dangerous for the officer as well as yourself,..that is all. Go about your business now,..disperse.

[John]

B. Rass, how do you know for a fact she ran down anyone? You don't. An undercover agent in street clothes pulling a gun on a woman in a car would look to the woman like a car jacker.

[B Rass]

John: I've researched this incident from 10 different sources, eyewitnesses corroborate that she tried to run down the officer. Your attempt to make it sound like "Valeria Alvarado (aka Valeria Tachiquin)" was protecting herself from what she perceived as a 'carjacker' is ridiculous. I suggest that you use more than one source for your information.

[John]

B. Rass sit and look through as much regulated media as you need to. I knew Monique and I actually live in Chula Vista and not far from where this took place. And for the record many more eyewitnesses are backing the story of her in reverse with the man in plain clothes walking towards her yelling and shooting. Of course the media isn't going to put that out there. What most people don't know is that her Dad works as a Correctional Officer in L.A. and her brother also works in this field. This won't be brushed under the rug.

What is this "Go about your business... now disperse" crap? This is not a joking matter, and that says more about your character. I have a vigil to go to at 5:30 on the corner of Moss St and Oaklawn where people will gather to pay their RESPECTS! GOD BLESS YOU!