A heavily armed 27-year-old man wearing tactical gear was shot and killed Monday morning after exchanging fire with law enforcement officers outside a US Border Patrol annex facility in McAllen, Texas. The attack left three individuals injured and FBI has initiated investigation.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the suspect began firing at the entrance of the United States Border Patrol sector annex. DHS officials confirmed that agents and local police officers engaged in return fire, ultimately killing the gunman. Three people were injured in the exchange: a Border Patrol employee and two law enforcement officers. One officer, who was struck in the knee, is expected to recover, officials said. All three were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez identified the shooter as Ryan Luis, a 27-year-old man connected to a Michigan address and a vehicle bearing Michigan license plates. Rodriguez described Luis as “loaded for bear,” indicating he was heavily armed and prepared for a violent encounter. Authorities recovered a second rifle and additional “assaultive weapons” from the suspect’s vehicle. Luis was able to fire dozens of rounds before being killed by federal agents at the scene.
Chief Rodriguez said there is currently no indication of further threats in the area. However, the motive for the shooting remains unknown. “When someone drives onto a parking lot and opens fire, there is some premeditation involved,” he said during a press briefing.
Law enforcement officials noted that the suspect’s vehicle had the phrase “Cordis Die” spray-painted on it, a reference that appears in the popular Call of Duty video game franchise. It is unclear what significance the phrase may have had in this incident.
Luis had reportedly been listed as missing from Weslaco, Texas, a town roughly 15 miles from McAllen, earlier that same morning. Authorities have not disclosed who reported him missing or the circumstances surrounding it. As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together Luis’ background, potential affiliations, and what may have led to Monday’s armed attack.