VIDEO: 4-year-old migrant dropped from border wall by suspected smugglers

A new video shows the moment a four-year-old undocumented migrant was dropped by a suspected smuggler from the top of the U.S.-Mexico border wall in California. 

The incident took place at around 9 p.m. on May 15 about half a mile from the San Ysidro port of entry in California. It was captured by surveillance video, which was later shared by U.S. Border Patrol Chief Raul Ortiz on Twitter on Monday.

The shocking video shows a person on top of the fence grabbing one child from one side of the barrier and bringing them to the other, landing safely. The individual tells the child to stand further away. 

Immediately after, the person grabs a second child from over the fence, holding the kid for a few seconds before letting them go. The child lands on the ground. The first child and the individual rush to help the kid. The individual picks up the four-year-old as they set out to walk after another adult joins them. 

A 4-year-old was dropped from the border barrier by an unknown subject in San Diego, Monday. Responding Agents and EMS providing first aid to the child also reported gunshots near their position while tending to the child. Remarkably, the child is ok! Do not trust smugglers! pic.twitter.com/MlOp2qka72

— Chief Raul Ortiz (@USBPChief) May 22, 2023

The child who was dropped from the wall was eventually abandoned by the alleged smugglers. He was then rescued by border agents. 

Border patrol agents and first responders arrived to give medical treatment to the child. However, they were met with gunshots coming from the Mexican side. 

“Agents reported hearing both the impact and ricochet of gunshots off of the secondary border barrier just north of their location,” CBP said in a news release.

“With emergency medical services, the San Diego Fire Department, and the child still on scene, agents directed everyone in the area to cover.”

A Customs and Border Patrol Air and Marine Operations helicopter responded to the scene to provide cover from above. 

The four-year-old did not suffer any serious injuries, Ortiz said. 

The United States and Mexico are launching an investigation to identify the suspected smugglers. In the meantime, additional Border Patrol agents have been assigned to the area.