A person was shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent near the New Hampshire-Canada border early Sunday in an exchange of gunfire, federal authorities said. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in Pittsburg, a town of about 800 people in northern New Hampshire, according to the FBI.
The suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment. The Border Patrol agent was unharmed, the FBI said.
What Happened
“Initial reports indicate that the subject opened fire on the agent at which time the agent returned fire,” Rodney Scott, commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said in a statement. “CBP is cooperating fully with investigators.”
Federal Investigation
The FBI’s Boston field office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire are investigating the shooting. Federal authorities declined to release the suspect’s name or provide details about what led to the exchange of gunfire. Officials said information would be released if charges are brought against the person.
Geographic Context
Pittsburg is located about 150 miles north of Concord, the state capital. The town borders Maine, Vermont, and Canada. It is the state’s only border crossing with Canada, a point of entry where Border Patrol agents screen travelers entering the United States from the Canadian province of Quebec. The international boundary in the region stretches for close to 60 miles.