On Friday, after being struck by gunfire which is thought to have originated from the Mexican side of the U.S.-Mexico border, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter had to make an emergency landing in Laredo, Texas.

As quoted in a CNN piece, Joe Baeza, a spokesman for the Laredo Police said that local authorities were called by the border patrol who explained that "one of their helicopters had received gunfire."

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that the downed helicopter -- which was at the time of the shooting flying over an area well-known for illegal border crossings and drug smuggling -- landed in Laredo with no injuries. An FBI statement informed that the helicopter had been hit struck several times by gunfire during an operational flight around 5 p.m., adding, "The rounds penetrated and damaged the aircraft, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing."

"The pilot sustained no injuries and no individuals on the ground were affected," read the statement.

Although Baeza contends that while it is not unusual to hear gunshots around the area, incidents of cross-border shootings are a rarity.

On Saturday the FBI and the Texas Rangers said they have launched an investigation into the downing of the helicopter.

Brietbart, a conservative news site, has added updated info that the shooting occurred in an area known as La Bota Ranch, which is a subdivision of Laredo. A source informed the news site that at least five shots were fired from Mexico and three hit the CBP helicopter, with two shots hitting the cabin and one shot hitting the engine.