Family Demands Justice for Indigenous American Man Shot by Border Patrol on Reservation

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Last month, federal authorities ruled that the death of Raymond Mattia, an Indigenous American man, at the hands of Border Patrol was justified. Mattia was killed after reporting undocumented migrants on his property on the Tohono O’odham reservation in Arizona in May. However, Mattia’s family believes that their loved one “died with no dignity” and is demanding changes to the treatment of Indigenous Americans by law enforcement on reservations.

According to reports, the Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department (TOPD) contacted the U.S. Border Patrol for assistance on May 18. Agents were alerted to reports of gunshots and were directed to search for a possible suspect. When they encountered Mattia outside his home, he reportedly threw something at an officer. The agents then fired their weapons, striking Mattia several times. He was later pronounced dead at a Tucson hospital.

Mattia’s niece, Lisa Mattia, explained that the incident greatly impacted their family and the community. She stated that her mother, who lived nearby, had been on the phone with Mattia just minutes before he was killed. She had called him to inform him that law enforcement was within their compound, searching for migrants. Shortly after hanging up, she heard gunshots. Lisa claims that about 38 shots were fired.

The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of Indigenous Americans living on reservations and the use of force by law enforcement. Lisa stated that the Tohono O’odham Nation often relies on Border Patrol as backup due to a shortage of tribal police officers. She questioned whether the Border Patrol agents, many of whom have military backgrounds, are adequately trained for the unique circumstances they may encounter on reservations.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection website describes Border Patrol’s training process as one of the most rigorous and demanding in the country. However, Lisa believes that the bodycam footage of her uncle’s shooting showed agents acting in a chaotic and unorganized manner, as if they were at war.

The family is also concerned that the issue of violent undocumented migrants on Mattia’s property was not adequately addressed. Lisa claims that nothing was done to mitigate the issue, and it seems that no investigation was conducted into the matter.

In September, the family met with the Arizona district of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where they were informed that no charges would be pressed against the Border Patrol agents involved. Lisa expressed her disappointment with the meeting, stating that her family felt dismissed and that their questions went unanswered. She also expressed frustration that her uncle’s side of the story was not heard.

The autopsy report revealed that Mattia sustained multiple gunshot wounds, as well as other injuries. The toxicology report showed the presence of alcohol and drugs in his system. However, Lisa believes that her uncle’s medication for a previous injury may have contributed to the findings and that he did not appear to be under the influence during the shooting.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to provide specific details of the meeting with the family or updates regarding protection from alleged trespassing migrants. The office also did not release unedited footage from the body cameras worn by the Border Patrol agents or disclose the number of shots fired.

The family’s demand for changes to the treatment of Indigenous Americans by law enforcement on reservations highlights ongoing concerns about the use of force and the need for accountability in these communities..