Texas National Guard Shot, Injured Migrant Near U.S.-Mexico Border

A Texas National Guard has reportedly shot a migrant while the soldier was patrolling near the U.S.-Mexico border.

Spc. Angel Gallegos was identified to be the National Guard member who shot the migrant on the left shoulder near McAllen, Texas, early Sunday morning.

The Hill reported that the migrant suffered a non-life-threatening injury. The migrant was treated at a local hospital after the incident.

Gallegos and a fellow National Guard member joined two Border Patrol agents that morning, tracking a group of migrants to an abandoned house.

The soldiers entered the house, with three individuals surrendering to the Guardsmen while the fourth attempted to flee and engaged in a fight with the guard member.

Erika Miller, press secretary for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said in a statement that the Texas Rangers are probing the incident but could not provide any additional details while the investigation is ongoing.

Gallegos was patrolling the border as part of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star.

Texas National Guard Shooting Migrant

An internal Texas Military Department document reportedly did not indicate that the migrant had a firearm or any other weapons during the incident.

It was the first known incident since the mission started in which a soldier had shot and injured a migrant.

The migrant involved was taken to McAllen Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. The Texas Military Department and Greg Abbott's office did not immediately comment on the matter.

Two troops assigned to the border mission have already died in accidental shooting, known as "negligent discharges." It was not immediately clear if Angel Gallegos intentionally fired the weapon.

If the investigators found that he intentionally fired, the shooting would be known as the third incident since the mission started in which a Texas Guard member has intentionally opened fire.

Spokesperson Rod Kise of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Rio Grande Valley said border agents were present during the shooting.

For her part, Rep. Veronica Escobar, an El Paso Democrat, has slammed Operation Lone State, saying that the security mission led to the shooting.

Texas Operation Lone Star

Greg Abbott's Operation Lone Star has led to more than 343,000 illegal immigrant apprehensions and more than 23,000 criminal arrests. More than 21,000 felony charges were also reported.

DPS has seized over 356 million lethal doses of fentanyl during the border mission while also busing more than 9,100 migrants to the nation's capital since April.

Since August 5, over 5,200 migrants have been bused to New York City, and more than 1,500 migrants were bused to Chicago since August 31.

Abbott noted that President Joe Biden has yet to respond to his most recent letter that he handed during the president's visit to El Paso earlier this month.

The letter reportedly highlighted tangible actions Biden can take immediately to secure the border and stop the influx of migrants.

Meanwhile, DPS troopers recently discovered 15 illegal immigrants after stopping a truck towing a car hauler in Uvalde County.

Abbott said that despite Texas' efforts, the problem still persists as the federal government has an open border policy.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: State Of Emergency Declared at Texas Border - From NBC News