Washington man shot by Border Patrol agent was armed and tried to flee

Department of Justice officials have identified Washington resident Nathaniel A. Muniz-Spry as the individual who was shot and injured by a U.S. Border Patrol agent on the morning of June 16 along the Washington-Canada border.

Muniz-Spry, a 39-year-old resident of Everson, appeared in federal court in Seattle on Wednesday afternoon and was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Agents from the FBI investigated the incident at the corner of 4th Street and A Street in Blaine, a small town a few hundred yards from the Canada. Blaine sits between Peace Arch Historical State Park and State Route 543, two official crossing sites along the U.S.-Canadian border

An FBI spokesperson confirmed to USA Today on June 16 that on person, confirmed to be Muniz-Spry, was injured and transported to a local hospital. No agents were reported injured, according to the agency. A firearm was recovered at the scene in what the agency is calling an "isolated incident."

There continues to be no threat to the public.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott confirmed through a spokesperson that a CBP agent discharged his weapon during an "encounter" on Tuesday morning.

The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, City of Blaine Police Department, CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility and the FBI all responded to the scene in Blaine this morning. FBI officials are leading the investigation while CBP is performing a use of force review, according to the agency.

What happened with federal agents in Blaine?

Shortly after 5 a.m. on the morning of June 16, Border Patrol agents responded to the intersection of 4th and A streets in the small town of Blaine, according to a court complaint filed in the case.

A border surveillance camera captured someone walking south between 50 and 75 yards from the U.S - Canada border, according to court documents, an area where illegal border crossings and smuggling “frequently occur."

Agents arrive at the scene and approached the individual, later confirmed to be Muniz-Spry, and asked why he was in the area. Muniz-Spry told agents he was looking for a bathroom. He provided his name and date of birth, but could not produce a form of identification for the agents. Muniz-Spry was then placed uncuffed in a patrol vehicle while officers ran a record search.

Agents learned of an active "approach with caution" alert for Muniz-Spry, the court complaint says, who brandished a knife at a law enforcement officer during a previous encounter.

Muniz-Spry moved his hands into his sweatshirt pockets numerous times, to which officers responded by asking him to keep his hands visible. He then asked officers to use the bathroom in the surrounding local woods, according to the complaint. After telling Muniz-Spry to remain seated, officers saw him begin walking towards the woods. Agents ordered him back into the patrol car seat, according to the complaint.

Agents then ordered Muniz-Spry out of the car to pat him down, and eventually felt what appeared to be a firearm handle in Muniz-Spry's waistband, the complaint says. Muniz-Spry pushed back against the agents as one officer stripped the firearm away and yelled "gun, gun, gun" to the others.

Muniz-Spry broke away from the agent's hold and began running away from the patrol vehicle. A different agent then shot Muniz-Spry in the leg as he ran away from the officers.

Agents went to provide medical aid to Muniz-Spry and called for an ambulance. While they waited for medical services to arrive, Muniz-Spry said, "Give me the dignity of have one last cigarette before going to prison forever."

Where is Blaine?

Blaine is the northernmost town on the western edge of Washington and one of the last major towns travelers pass through when traveling to Canada.

The town is an hour south of Vancouver, B.C. and two hours north of Seattle. The city is home to around 6,370 people according to 2024 U.S. Census data.

This story will be updated as more information is known.

Zachary Fletcher is a trending news reporter with USA TODAY Network's Washington state team. Keep up with him on X (@zdfletch), BlueSky (@zfletcher.bsky.social) or reach him at [email protected].