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Border Patrol agents involved in fatal Arizona shooting, family wants answers

The fatal shooting occurred Thursday night near Ajo on the Tohono O'odham Nation.

AJO, Ariz. — U.S. Border Patrol agents were involved in a fatal shooting Thursday night in southern Arizona, officials said. 

The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. near Ajo on the Tohono O'odham Nation. 

Details about the individual who died have not been disclosed by federal officials. 

Family members of the deceased identified him as Raymond Mattia to KVOA News. They claim he had called Border Patrol for help because some migrants had trespassed onto his property.

The family said Mattia went outside after spotting the agents and that's when they started to hear several gunshots. 

"I couldn't believe what I was hearing," a relative told KVOA.

The family said they now want more answers about the circumstances leading up to the shooting.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the FBI and Tohono O'odham Police Department are involved in the investigation. 

Credit: KVOA/Mattia Family
Credit: KVOA/Mattia Family

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How big is Maricopa County?:

Maricopa County is the United States’ 4th largest county in terms of population with 4,485,414 people, according to the 2020 Census.

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The county was named after the Maricopa, or Piipaash, Native American Tribe.

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