Officers, suspect in shooting at Otay Mesa border crossing identified

The names of a 59-year-old driver and three Customs and Border Protection officers involved in a shooting where the man allegedly sped through a secondary inspection and nearly struck the officers at the Otay Mesa border crossing were released Friday.

Humberto Chavarria-Cervantes, of Los Angeles, was fired upon by three CBP officers, San Diego police Lt. Arturo Swadener said. San Diego police responded to the shooting under a countywide protocol designed to keep law enforcement agencies from investigating themselves when an officer opens fire.

The officers, identified as Richard Labak, Jerald Talob and Hugo Osuna, have worked for the agency for 22, 6 and 2 years, respectively.

Chavarria-Cervantes, a U.S. citizen, was not hit by gunfire, but suffered minor cuts when his windshield shattered during the shooting, Swadener said. None of the officers were injured.

Separately, Homeland Security Investigations agents are looking into the actions of the suspect, Swadener said.

HSI officials will also conduct an administrative investigation into the officers’ discharge of their weapons.

The shooting occurred shortly after Chavarria-Cervantes was attempting to drive into the United States from Mexico at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry around 9 p.m., Swadener said.

At some point, he was ordered to head to secondary inspection, but allegedly attempted to flee. He was unable to drive through the north end of the lot because it was blocked, Swadener said. He then turned around and tried driving south at a high speed, smashing through two gates and nearly hitting  CBP officers.

The three officers opened fire, striking the vehicle, investigators said. Chavarria-Cervantes stopped the vehicle and surrendered.

Chavarria-Cervantes later tested positive for methamphetamine, Swadener said.