News Summary
A 59-year-old man attempting to cross into the U.S. was shot at by Border officers after he fled during an inspection. He sustained minor injuries and was later arrested. The incident is under investigation, with the suspect testing positive for methamphetamine.
San Diego – A 59-year-old man from Los Angeles is recovering from minor injuries after being shot at by Border officers during a failed crossing attempt at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. The incident occurred on Monday around 9 p.m., when Humberto Chavarria-Cervantes attempted to enter the U.S. from Mexico but fled instead of complying with the inspection process.
Chavarria-Cervantes was initially referred to secondary inspection when he suddenly accelerated away from the area. He drove south at high speed, nearly colliding with several Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers who were conducting routine checks. In response to the perceived threat, three CBP officers discharged their firearms during the altercation.
After the shooting, Chavarria-Cervantes managed to evade capture for a brief time but subsequently stopped and surrendered to Border officers. He sustained injuries from glass shards resulting from a broken windshield caused by the gunfire. Medical personnel transported him to a hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries and was later released by Tuesday afternoon. Upon his release, he was taken into custody under suspicion of facing federal charges.
No officers were injured in the shooting incident, highlighting that the altercation, while serious, did not result in any injuries among law enforcement personnel. The three CBP officers involved have been identified as Richard Labak, who has served for 22 years; Jerald Talob, with 6 years of service; and Hugo Osuna, who is relatively new with 2 years of experience.
The incident is under investigation by the San Diego Police Homicide Unit, which is examining the specifics surrounding the officer-involved shooting. Concurrently, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is also investigating the actions of Chavarria-Cervantes, as well as the circumstances under which the officers discharged their weapons. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office will review the Homicide Unit’s findings to determine if there is any criminal liability for the officers involved in the shooting.
In the wake of the incident, it was noted that Chavarria-Cervantes tested positive for methamphetamine, raising questions about his state at the time of the shooting. The presence of drugs may factor into the ongoing investigations regarding the actions taken by both the officers and the suspect.
Authorities are appealing for anyone who may have additional information regarding the incident to contact the Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers. The ongoing investigations are crucial to establishing a complete understanding of the events as they unfolded at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry on Monday night.
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Additional Resources
- Fox 5 San Diego
- Wikipedia: United States Customs and Border Protection
- Times of San Diego
- Google Search: shooting at Otay Mesa Port of Entry
- NBC San Diego
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Law Enforcement
- San Diego Union Tribune
- Google News: Border shooting investigation
- Times of San Diego
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
