Wisconsin Fugitive Killed in Texas Shootout After Fleeing Border Patrol in Stolen Vehicle

FIRST ON FOX: In a dramatic turn of events in Texas, a man from Wisconsin was fatally shot after he drove a stolen car through a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint. The incident, which unfolded on Wednesday, involved a high-speed chase and gunfire exchange.

Authorities reported that the situation began around 10:30 a.m. at the Sierra Blanca checkpoint, located in the Big Bend Sector between El Paso and Van Horn—an area known for its remote landscape.

The individual, identified as 33-year-old James Douglas McMillan from Greenfield, Wisconsin, sped away from the checkpoint after a Border Patrol drug-sniffing dog detected something suspicious. Agents had instructed McMillan to stop for a further inspection, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

In an unrelated image, a migrant is captured crossing the Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border on March 13, 2024, in El Paso, Texas. This serves as a backdrop to Wednesday’s incident where a man was shot by authorities following his escape through a Border Patrol checkpoint. (John Moore/Getty Images)

As the chase progressed, McMillan reportedly fired shots from his vehicle at DPS troopers, other law enforcement officers, and civilian cars, making the pursuit increasingly dangerous, as stated by the DPS.

“As law enforcement returned fire, DPS Troopers performed a precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver and successfully stopped the suspect vehicle,” a DPS statement said. 

McMillan barricaded himself in his vehicle and eventually pointed his weapon towards officers, prompting officers to open fire, authorities said. 

He was shot and killed. No law enforcement officers or civilians were hurt.  

Investigators determined McMillan was driving a vehicle reported stolen in Arizona. The shooting is being investigated by the Texas Rangers, with assistance from the FBI and USBP.

The shooting involved Border Patrol agents and DPS troopers.  (Suzanne Cordeiro/AFP via Getty Images)

In January, a man suspected of smuggling illegal immigrants was shot by federal officers during a gunfire exchange in Arizona. 

Patrick Gary Schlegel, 34, fled from authorities on foot and allegedly shot at a CBP helicopter and at agents, Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix Division, said at the time. 

A U.S. Border Patrol officer watches a USBP helicopter.  (Herika Martinez/AFP via Getty Images)

Schlegal, a U.S. citizen from Arizona, underwent surgery and survived. No one else was harmed, authorities said. 

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