KEY POINTS

  • BORTAC K-9 Bulder was killed in the line of duty in El Paso, Texas
  • A bullet from the 62-year-old suspect struck and killed the 5-year-old Belgian Malinois
  • K-9 Agent Bulder will be buried with full honors

A U.S. Border Patrol K-9 was shot and killed in the line of duty at El Paso, Texas Tuesday.

Agent Bulder, a 5-year-old Belgian Malinois, died after the suspect, which was only identified as a 62-year-old man, open fired while law enforcers were serving a search and arrest warrant, according to ABC 7.

The U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), alongside agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the El Paso Police Department issued the warrant around 6:00 a.m. at a home in Northeast El Paso in relation to illegal manufacturing and possession of firearms, said Blue Live Matter.

border patrol agent indicted
A U.S. Border Patrol agent patrols along the Mexican border near San Diego in 2013. Reuters/Mike Blake

The gunman confronted the agents in the backyard and allegedly fired several shots. One bullet struck Agent Bulder and died at the scene, pointed the El Paso Times.

Agents retaliated and killed the suspect, it added.

“It happened in second,” said El Paso Police Sergeant Robert Gomez in a press conference. He also added that there were two women who were inside the house at the time of the shootout and that no arrests were made.

“Please let the public know that this K-9 agent and his partner, without a doubt, saved other agents from significant injury and possibly death,” expressed U.S. Border Special Operations Chief Patrol Agent Tim Sullivan.

Agent Bulder had been with BORTAC for almost a year and will be given a burial with full honors, said FOX News, citing a statement from Border Patrol.

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