Texas Republican: 'Intentional Ambush' Of ICE Agent Is A 'Game Changer'

A Republican lawmaker from Texas called the slaying of a federal agent in Mexico a “game changer” and is pushing for the U.S. to “respond forcefully.”

Gunman launched an attack on two agents with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday as the men drove through Mexico on routine business.

Rep. Michael McCaul said on Wednesday that it “was an intentional ambush” and that the two men - special agent Jaime Zapata, who died, and special agent Victor Avila, who was wounded – had their vehicle with diplomatic license plates run off the road by members of a drug cartel.

“When the agents identified themselves as American diplomats, the cartel members responded by opening fire on the officers,” said McCaul in a statement.

“This tragic event is a game changer. The United States will not tolerate acts of violence against its citizens or law enforcement and I believe we must respond forcefully. This should be a long overdue wakeup call for the Obama administration that there is a war on our nation's doorstep."

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