Family demands justice in CBP fatal shooting on Tohono O’odham Nation
Newsy
Months after Raymond Mattia was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents, his family is still seeking accountability.
A family’s desperate calls seeking justice for Raymond Mattia go unanswered eight months after he was shot and killed by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Arizona who responded to a call for shots fired.
Family members of 58-year-old Mattia filed a $15 million tort claim against U.S. Customs and Protection for the wrongful death of Mattia. His family said they’re aware that suing a federal law enforcement agency is nearly impossible, but they’re prepared for a drawn-out court battle.
Annette Mattia and her daughter Yvonne Nevarez sat at the table near a Christmas tree thumbing through photos of Mattia throughout his life. They said the holidays weren’t the same without Raymond.
“I try to be strong, but then it just gets to me,” Annette Mattia wiped her tears. She said her brother was a father, an aspiring artist, and an active Tohono O’odham member.
On May 18, 2023, U.S. Border Patrol agents fired approximately 38 shots at Mattia while outside his home, according to the tort claim filed in November of 2023. The medical examiner reported 9 bullet wounds.
