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On Thursday, May 18, Border Patrol agents fatally shot Raymond Mattia, a well-respected member of the Tohono O’odham Nation. According to ABC, the incident occurred at approximately 10 pm in the village of Meneger’s Dam. Mattia had reportedly called the border patrol agents after he saw multiple migrants trespassing on his property. However, when he left his property and saw the agents, they shot him for an undisclosed reason.
KVOA noted that Raymond Mattia’s family had demanded an explanation from the border patrol regarding his death.
Relatives described Mattia as a law-abiding man who showed no signs of aggression towards the agents. His fatal shooting is currently under investigation by the FBI.
The timeline of Raymond Mattia's death
In an interview with News 4 Tucson, an anonymous family member of Raymond Mattia described the circumstances around his shooting. She said that the village where they reside, Meneger’s Dam, is only a few miles from the US-Mexico border. As a result, residents are often concerned about undocumented migrants in the area.
The family member said:
"He called to request for assistance because there were multiple illegal immigrants who had trespassed into his yard and he wanted assistance getting them out of his property."
She said that soon after calling the Border Patrol, Mattia spotted the agents. After stepping out of his home, he walked only two feet before the authorities fired shots at him. The family member said:
"I had heard all the gunshots like it was just a war. I just went into shock like I couldn't believe what I was hearing."
Family members said the border patrol agents fired 38 shots at Raymond Mattia, indicating they may have used excessive force. The family member said:
"(The authorities) told us there was an estimated 38 shots fired at him. You know that's excessive and we want justice and we want to know what happened and why there were so many Border Patrol out there shooting at him."
Ophelia Rivas, a family friend who knew Raymond Mattia, expressed his disbelief at the incident. Rivas said that Mattia was a beloved figure in the Tohono O’odham Nation, primarily known for his contributions to art, traditional music, and various ceremonies conducted by the community. He was also described as a widely admired hunter.
Ophelia Rivas claimed that the fatal shooting showed that border patrol agents had no respect for the Tohono O’odham Nation.
"I have dealt with Border Patrol aggression and unmonitored behavior out here on Tohono O'odham land without any regard to the respect and to the land and to the people."
The officer involved in the shooting has not been identified.
