
Off-duty CBP officer fires 11 shots in El Paso road rage incident, arrested for aggravated assault.
At a Glance
- Hector Luis Zubia, 34, an off-duty CBP officer, arrested for shooting at a teenager’s car
- Incident occurred on September 6, 2023, near Downtown El Paso
- Zubia claimed self-defense, but evidence suggests he fired after the threat had passed
- Charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, released on $250,000 bond
- Incident raises questions about law enforcement accountability and use of force
CBP Officer’s Excessive Force Sparks Controversy
An off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer has been arrested for firing 11 shots during a road rage incident in El Paso, Texas. Hector Luis Zubia, 34, faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly shooting at a car driven by 19-year-old Sebastian Cardoza on September 6, 2023.
The incident, which occurred near Downtown El Paso, has raised serious questions about the abuse of power by federal agents and the need for stricter oversight of law enforcement personnel. While Zubia claimed he acted in self-defense, evidence suggests he continued firing even after any perceived threat had passed, highlighting a concerning lack of judgment and restraint.
NEW🚨Police documents reveal the moments that led to a road rage shooting in south-central El Paso where an off-duty CBP officer in uniform opened fire on a 19-year-old driver back in September. https://t.co/zD9l77WUDc
— CBS4Local (@CBS4Local) October 22, 2024
Conflicting Accounts and Damning Evidence
Zubia, who was in uniform but off-duty at the time, asserts that Cardoza’s vehicle endangered him, prompting him to open fire. However, investigators have uncovered evidence that contradicts this claim, suggesting a clear abuse of authority and disregard for public safety.
Zubia reportedly claimed he began shooting because a car driven by a teenager was driving towards him, but gunshot holes prove that Zubia fired at the vehicle from behind once the threat had already passed, according to the police complaint.
This discrepancy between Zubia’s account and the physical evidence underscores the importance of thorough investigations into incidents involving law enforcement personnel. It also raises concerns about the potential for cover-ups and the need for independent oversight to ensure accountability.
Legal Implications and Jurisdictional Overreach
Adding to the controversy is the fact that Texas law does not permit CBP officers to take police action outside of a border port of entry. This means Zubia lacked federal law enforcement authority in this situation, further complicating the legal ramifications of his actions.
“The investigation revealed both vehicles came to a stop at the entrance ramp to 375 East. Zubia alleged to have fired a gun at Cardoza when he drove at him. The Crimes Against Persons Unit took over the investigation. Through their investigation, it was revealed that Zubia’s accounts of what happened were not consistent with the evidence at the scene.” – El Paso Police Department.
The El Paso Police Department’s statement clearly indicates that Zubia’s version of events does not align with the evidence collected at the scene. This discrepancy not only calls into question Zubia’s credibility but also highlights the potential for abuse of power by federal agents operating outside their jurisdiction.