Border Patrol agent involved in shooting, one suspect dead

A U.S. Border Patrol agent was involved in a shooting early Tuesday morning in Yuma that left one suspect dead and another suspect in police custody, according to Yuma Police Department.
 
The shooting happened at 12:50 a.m. in the alleyway between 3rd and 4th avenues, along the 600 block.
 
According to agent Michael Bernacke, spokesman for the Yuma Sector, the agent, who was on-duty at the time, observed a suspect running out of a convenience store after allegedly just robbing it.
 
The agent got out of his vehicle and began chasing the suspect, who then ran into the alley to an awaiting vehicle.
 
The suspect then got into a maroon Nissan and the driver of the vehicle attempted to use the car to run over the agent.
 
"At this point the agent drew his firearm and fired at the threat in order to stop it," Bernacke said.
 
The agent was uninjured in the incident. Bernacke did not give the name of the convenience store that had been robbed.
 
One adult male suspect was shot and transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he later died as a result of his injuries, according to Bernacke.
 
The deceased person has been identified as 21-year-old Steven Edward Martin. The passenger of the vehicle was Tyrone Paul Mitchell, 26. Both are from Yuma.
 
Mitchell, who was arrested at the scene, made his initial appearance in Yuma Justice Court Tuesday afternoon before Justice of the Peace David Cooper.
 
Cooper advised Mitchell that police were asking the County Attorney's Office to file a felony complaint against him, charging him with second-degree murder.
 
Prosecutors have 48 hours to file a complaint against Mitchell, who is scheduled to return to court on Friday for his arraignment, which is when he will learn whether a complaint has been filed.

The judge also set Mitchell's bond at $110,465. If no charges are filed he will be released.
 
Bernacke said, as per standard procedure following a shooting, the agent involved has been placed on administrative leave.
 
The Yuma Police Department is investigating the shooting in conjunction with the FBI and the United States Border Patrol.
 
Officer Clint Norred, spokesman for the Yuma Police Department, said that Mitchell was involved in the commission of a felony, aggravated assault on a peace officer, when Martin died, so since his actions contributed to the death, he is eligible to be charged with murder under felony murder laws.


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James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.