Man killed during Florida ICE operation identified by Mexican officials
by By The News Digital · The News InternationalA Mexican national who died while fleeing federal immigration officers in Florida has been identified as Juan Jairo Coronilla Duran, according to Mexican officials and a Florida advocacy group.
The 28-year-old died on 14 July after he and three others ran from immigration officers during an operation at a petrol station near St. Augustine.
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According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a man ran across State Road 16 and was struck by a lorry, suffering fatal injuries.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said federal officers were conducting an operation when a Mexican national died.
The incident is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, a division of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to USA TODAY, Mexican officials said Coronilla Durán was from San Luis de la Paz in the state of Guanajuato.
Local official Susana Guerra Vallejo said his wife told authorities he had travelled to the United States on a visa.
Isaret Jeffers, founder of the advocacy group Colectivo Arbol, told the Associated Press that Coronilla Duran had been visiting friends and family and was due to return to Mexico on 18 July.
His death was the third fatality linked to US immigration enforcement operations within a week. More than 100 people later protested along the Florida road where he died.