An adult smuggler dropped a four-year-old boy into the US from a height of approximately 30 feet on the US-Mexican border wall last week.
Surveillance footage released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Friday captured the terrifying moment when the smuggler, perched on top of the wall, let go of the child near San Ysidro in San Diego.
Following the disturbing act, the smuggler immediately descended from the barrier to assist the four-year-old and join another older child who had successfully crossed the wall earlier the same week, as stated in a press release by CBP. The footage shows the smuggler scooping up the young child while a second adult climbs over the wall, and the group walks away together.
CBP agents quickly apprehended the group, rushing to aid the boy. However, their efforts were interrupted by a barrage of intense gunfire. In response, the foursome was ordered to take cover while a CBP Air and Marine Operations helicopter arrived to provide aerial protection. Simultaneously, Mexican law enforcement mobilized to secure their side of the border, from where agents believed the gunshots had originated. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz later tweeted that, remarkably, the child was unharmed, urging people not to trust smugglers.
Details such as the relationship between the individuals involved, their nationality, and their potential release into the US to pursue immigration cases have not been confirmed. While attempts to cross the border wall occur daily, it is less common to encounter children of such young ages engaging in such dangerous journeys, according to agency spokesman Michael Scappechio. Researchers have highlighted a significant rise in deaths and severe injuries associated with attempts to scale the San Diego wall since its height was increased during the Trump administration.