FILE - In this Dec. 3, 2014 file photo, cars wait to enter the United States from Tijuana, Mexico through the San Ysidro port of entry in San Diego. San Diego police say a 40-year-old man died after a border inspector shot him with a stun gun at the nation's busiest crossing. Police said Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014 that the man jumped over a counter and attacked an inspector after being escorted to a separate area for questioning at the San Ysidro port of entry between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico and a records check revealed he was wanted on a felony charge. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
SAN DIEGO (AP) – A 40-year-old U.S. citizen died after a border inspector shot him with a stun gun at the nation's busiest crossing, authorities said Thursday.
The incident occurred at about 7 p.m. on Christmas Eve when the man was taken to a separate area for questioning after trying to cross the San Ysidro port of entry connecting the San Diego area and Tijuana, Mexico. A records check showed he was wanted on a felony charge.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said when authorities began to question the man, he jumped over a counter and attacked two inspectors. He was described as "combative" in a statement. The statement said officers found heroin during a body search.
The man attempted to enter the U.S. on foot Wednesday afternoon, about four hours before the altercation, CBP said. Authorities attempted CPR on the man, who was pronounced dead at a hospital.
Police said the man would not be identified until his family was notified.
The press release said that four CBP agents, whose names were not released, were moderately injured in the incident and were taken to a nearby hospital.
The case is under investigation by the San Diego Police Department's homicide unit, while the Medical Examiner's Office will perform an autopsy on the man to determine the cause of death.
About 50,000 motorists and 25,000 pedestrians enter the country daily at San Ysidro, more people than the top two U.S. airports for international arrivals combined — New York's John F. Kennedy and Miami.
Based on reporting by The Associated Press and EFE.
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