SAN YSIDRO, Calif. (KGTV) -- San Diego Police are investigating Monday night's shoot out at the border at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
Christopher Barajas said he was pulling up to the line to head into the U.S, but turned back.
"Everyone started screaming before I even get to the line," said Barajas.
It happened around 7:30 p.m. when police and Customs and Border Protection officers say the driver of a white pick up truck refused to stop at a secondary inspection area. Instead, the twenty-three-year-old allegedly accelerated and tried to drive straight through the port into the United States before being blocked by a vehicle.
Police say the driver started firing shots from inside his truck and then got out and continued shooting at officers. Seven C-B-P officers returned fire, hitting the man at least once. Officers and San Diego Fire Rescue crews performed life saving measures, but the suspect died at the scene.
"If they didn't find any individuals in there, smuggling, he was probably hiding something in there," said Barajas.
White plastic garbage bags could be seen sitting on the truck's tailgate, but police haven't released any information about what, if anything, was found.
Tuesday, only the Sentri and Ready lanes remained open on the northbound side. Traffic heading into Mexico was not affected.
Police were expected to release the identity of the man killed once his family was notified.
