LA JOYA, Texas (AP) - The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the name of the state trooper who fired on a fleeing pickup truck near the U.S.-Mexico border, killing two illegal immigrants who were hiding under a blanket in the bed.
DPS tactical flight officer Miguel Avila had been placed on administrative leave immediately following the Oct. 25 incident near La Joya, but the agency said Thursday he had returned to work, though he has been reassigned to administrative duties.
The agency's statement reiterated its earlier comments that troopers believed they were pursuing a covered a drug load when shots were fired from a helicopter to disable the vehicle. They believed the driver's recklessness was a threat to the public, including elementary and middle schools less than three miles away.
The Associated Press