Hikers were attacked and robbed this week on U.S. territory just north of the border by suspected cartel members from Mexico, who shot one of the hikers in the leg, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a Jan. 23 statement.

The victims, a U.S. citizen and a Canadian citizen were attacked by two armed men in the Jacumba Wilderness, located in the desert of southern California.

The armed men had approached the two hikers and commanded them to come closer. When the hikers refused to follow the demands, the suspected cartel members opened fire on them, striking one victim in the leg.

The suspects then robbed the two men of their cell phones and backpacks.

After the suspects left, the victims placed an emergency call fielded by El Centro Sector Communications out of the small city of Imperial at around 11 a.m. Wednesday.

U.S. Border Patrol agents were then dispatched to the scene, which was 1,000 feet north of the U.S.-Mexico International Border, where they found the hikers and stabilized the gunshot victim. The Mountain Disrupt Unit, Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), and Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue (BORSTAR) agents were part of the response to the incident.

Agents set up a perimeter and transported the victim via air ambulance to Sharp Medical Center in San Diego for treatment.

BORTAC and BORSTAR agents maintained the perimeter and determined the assailants had returned to Mexico.

“The wounded hiker is an ‘I told you so moment’ highlighting the importance of adequate infrastructure the Border Patrol has been championing for years now,” said Border Patrol El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino.

“Suspected cartel terrorists, however, are fixing to learn this type of conduct will be an end game type of activity here in the Premier Sector. All threats, anywhere, or at any time throughout this sector will be addressed vigorously.”

The CBP El Centro Sector also commented on the incident on social media.

“These cartels think they can bring their war to American soil,” said CBP El Centro Sector in a statement, issuing a warning directed at the cartels. “The El Centro Sector will not stand idly by.”

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