Border Patrol Agent Charged in Calexico Teen Shooting

Federal grand jury indicts agent Marcos Javier Andrade for civil rights and firearms violations in 2022 incident.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:35pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered car window, capturing the dramatic texture and lighting to conceptually illustrate the violence of the alleged shooting incident.A federal indictment alleges a Border Patrol agent violated an unarmed teen's civil rights in a controversial Calexico shooting.San Diego Today

A federal grand jury has indicted Border Patrol agent Marcos Javier Andrade on civil rights and firearms charges after prosecutors said he opened fire on an unarmed 19-year-old driver in Calexico, California in July 2022, leaving the teen with multiple gunshot wounds.

Why it matters

The Calexico shooting has raised concerns about oversight and use of force by Border Patrol agents in the El Centro sector, with civil rights advocates pointing to it as part of a broader pattern of incidents. The criminal indictment marks an escalation as federal authorities pursue charges against the agent involved.

The details

According to court records, the 19-year-old victim was stuck in heavy traffic on State Route 98 in Calexico on July 11, 2022 when a uniformed Border Patrol agent allegedly approached the teen's minivan and began shooting, striking the driver in the neck, hip, shoulder and hand. Prosecutors say the teen's vehicle did not pose a threat to the agent or anyone else at the time.

  • The shooting incident occurred on July 11, 2022 in Calexico, California.
  • A federal grand jury returned the indictment against agent Marcos Javier Andrade this week.

The players

Marcos Javier Andrade

A Border Patrol agent who has been indicted by a federal grand jury on civil rights and firearms charges related to the July 2022 shooting of a 19-year-old driver in Calexico.

A.F.

The 19-year-old driver who was shot multiple times by agent Andrade while stuck in traffic in Calexico in July 2022.

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What’s next

The criminal case against agent Andrade is set to move forward in U.S. District Court in San Diego, with an arraignment scheduled for next week. The shooting incident is also the subject of a separate civil lawsuit filed by the 19-year-old victim.

The takeaway

This indictment highlights ongoing concerns about use of force and lack of oversight within the Border Patrol, particularly in regions like the El Centro sector where the agency has a dominant presence. The criminal charges represent an escalation as federal authorities seek to hold the agent accountable for the shooting.