Three people, two National Guard soldiers and a Border Patrol agent, were killed in a helicopter crash near the US-Mexico border in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security identified the deceased as National Guard Chief Warrant Officers Casey Frankoski, aged 28, and John Grassia, aged 30, along with Border Patrol agent Chris Luna, aged 49. The fatal incident occurred during a federal “Border support mission” on a Friday, also leaving another National Guard member injured and currently hospitalized.

Officers Grassia and Frankoski were stationed in New York; Grassia had served as a New York state trooper, and Frankoski was in training to become a helicopter pilot. New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Major General Ray Shields, and US Customs and Border Patrol Commissioner Troy Miller expressed their sorrow and paid tribute to the service of the deceased.

President Joe Biden also honored the fallen, offering condolences to their families and acknowledging their dedication to the nation’s security. The crash’s cause is under investigation, with the border area continuing to be closely monitored by state and federal authorities.