14 Facts About Jaime Zapata

Jaime Jorge Zapata was an Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent who was ambushed and murdered by the Mexican criminal group Los Zetas in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Jaime Zapata was one of two agents who were ambushed in a part of the country that was increasingly under the influence of drug violence.

Jaime Zapata was born in Brownsville, Texas, United States, a border city directly north of Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Jaime Zapata was one of five brothers, all in the field of criminal justice.

Jaime Zapata attended Homer Hanna High School, and later graduated from the University of Texas at Brownsville in 2005, where he attained a degree in Criminal Justice and an associate degree in Applied Science.

Jaime Zapata entered on duty with the United States Border Patrol on February 6,2006, as a Border Patrol Agent.

Jaime Zapata was a member of the US Border Patrol Academy's 611th Session.

Jaime Zapata then joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations in 2006, after being assigned to the Office of the Deputy special agent in Laredo, Texas, where he served on the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit and in the Border Enforcement Security Task Force.

When Jaime Zapata shifted the vehicle into park, its doors automatically unlocked.

Dying, Jaime Zapata managed to put the car in gear and drive away before collapsing at the wheel.

Jaime Zapata gravely injured from three bullet wounds, died before the authorities could aid him with medical treatment.

The agent's account mentions that the gunmen apparently knew that they were attacking US law enforcement officers, since after Jaime Zapata mentioned that they were American diplomats, the Zetas said "We don't give a [expletive]" and shot both of them.

Congressional investigators have stated that Osorio was known by the ATF to be a straw purchaser months before he purchased the gun used to kill Jaime Zapata, leading them to question the Bureau's Operation Fast and Furious leading to the illegal purchase and export of the murder weapon.

The death of Jaime Zapata allowed for the United States to work closely with officials on the Mexican-led investigation to ensure the perpetrators were captured as quickly as possible.