SEATTLE A U.S. border patrol agent shot and killed a British citizen who "violently assaulted" him after he was stopped for questioning near the Canadian border, officials said on Friday. Gary Mayers, 34, of London, was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting Thursday morning about five miles (8 km) south of the Canadian border in northeastern Washington State, said Bill Strassberger of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The border patrol is a unit of INS. Mayers, who had been deported to Britain last month, was seen hopping the border fence at Laurier, Wash., and shortly afterward was found hitchhiking along a state highway.

Mayers appeared nervous, and the lone agent who stopped him decided to call for backup, Strassberger said. "As he reached into the vehicle the individual violently assaulted the agent," Strassberger said. "He was able to get one hand on the agent's weapon and told the agent he was going to kill him." The agent managed to regain control of his gun, but Mayers, who weighed an estimated 220 pounds (100 kg), grabbed the radio microphone cord from the car and tried to choke the agent.

The agent broke free, drew his gun and ordered Mayers to stop. When the suspect again lunged forward, the agent fired a single shot, hitting Mayers in the chest. The FBI is investigating the case and has taken statements from two passing motorists who witnessed the struggle and stopped to help, Strassberger said. An autopsy and toxicology tests are expected. Strassberger said Mayers had been deported in early July due to lack of proper immigration status, most likely for overstaying his visa.

No further details were immediately available. (Reuter)