Family of Indigenous American Man Killed by Border Patrol Demand Justice and Change in Treatment by Law Enforcement

Police – Accident – Death – Obituary News : Federal authorities have ruled that the death of an Indigenous American man at the hands of Border Patrol in May was justified, but the family of the deceased is demanding changes to the treatment of Indigenous Americans by law enforcement. Raymond Mattia was killed on the Tohono O’odham reservation in Arizona after reporting undocumented migrants on his property. His family believes that he “died with no dignity” and that there was another side to his death that was not taken into consideration.

On May 18, the Tohono O’odham Nation Police Department (TOPD) called the U.S. Border Patrol for assistance after receiving reports of gunshots in the area. Border Patrol agents encountered Mattia outside his home and claim that he threw something at an officer as they approached. They fired their weapons, striking Mattia multiple times and killing him. He was later pronounced dead at a Tucson hospital.

The family says that Mattia’s sister, who lived nearby, called him minutes before the shooting to inform him that law enforcement was on the reservation searching for migrants. She heard gunshots shortly after ending the call. The family believes that around 38 shots were fired. The incident had a significant impact on the family and the community, who described the scene as chaotic and heartbreaking.

According to the family, Mattia had called law enforcement to complain about migrants trespassing on his property. They claim that the police on the reservation often use Border Patrol as backup and vice versa, as there are not enough tribal police officers to service the entire reservation. They also raise concerns about the training and background of Border Patrol agents, many of whom have military experience.

Bodycam footage from the incident shows Border Patrol agents and a police officer gathering before embarking on a manhunt. The footage also captures the encounter with Mattia, who throws a machete towards the agents before they shoot him. The family argues that the agents were acting as if they were in a warzone and that the situation was chaotic. They also claim that the agents did not do enough to address the issue of violent undocumented migrants on Mattia’s property.

The family met with the Arizona district of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, who informed them that no charges would be pressed against Border Patrol agents. The family felt dismissed and deceived during the meeting, as their questions went unanswered and they were not given access to unedited footage from the body cameras or updates on protection from alleged trespassing migrants. The autopsy report revealed that Mattia sustained nine gunshot wounds, a graze wound, a shrapnel wound, and multiple blunt force injuries. The death was ruled a homicide by gunshot.

The family is demanding changes to the treatment of Indigenous Americans by law enforcement and is disappointed with the lack of accountability in Mattia’s case. They believe that his death was unjust and that his side of the story was not taken into consideration..