Man Shot After Pelting Agents With Rocks

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. — A Border Patrol agent shot and wounded a rock-throwing suspect Tuesday night in the Goat Canyon area near the international border.

The agent and his partner had a person in custody about 6:45 p.m. when several suspected illegal immigrants began pelting them with rocks, the Border Patrol said in a statement.

In an attempt to defend themselves, one of the agents opened fire and struck one of the assailants in the abdomen, officials said. The others fled.

The wounded man was taken by air to UC San Diego Medical Center for treatment. He was listed in critical condition Wednesday, a nursing supervisor said.