May 30, 2003 -- Monica Balderrama, KFOX news at nine.

A marijuana smuggling attempt ends in a deadly chase.

The investigation is a complicated one. While the Sheriff's Department investigates a victim of a gunshot wound, the FBI looks into an assault on a peace officer in the same incident.

The incident happened this afternoon in Fabens. Now FBI, Sheriff's and the Border Patrol are investigating what happened and how one person ended up dead.

An anonymous call to Border Patrol alerted agents about a suspicious white pickup.

Rick Glancey- Sheriffs Spokesman, "I was described as a load vehicle, that's the terminology used in law enforcement indicating that vehicle may be carrying contraband."

Sheriff's Spokesman Rick Glancey says the pickup was spotted traveling west on Middle Island road. The driver attempted to turn on Island Guadalupe but failed to make it since he was traveling at a high rate of speed. The vehicle eventually ended up in this orchard.

Glancey, "The vehicle failed to stop as Border Patrol was trying to approach the vehicle. The vehicle backed up approaching toward the officer."

The Border Patrol officer was not injured. But what happened next is still unclear and that's why several witnesses are being questioned.

Glancey "We are investigating the victim of a gunshot would, just exactly how that occurred we're not able to determine. Right now we're still in the process of the investigation."

Investigators are trying to figure out if and at what point the Border Patrol agent exited his vehicle. But what they do know is that the body of the driver of the pickup was found inside his vehicle. We also know FBI was at the scene investigating an assault on a federal peace officer.

Vicky Calderon- Resident, This is getting to be very dangerous for officers. They need to be somewhere where it's safer for them."

Investigators also found hundreds of pounds of marijuana. Glancey says the exact amount, weight or value has not been determined. But the entire back of the bed was loaded with marijuana.

The incident took place not too far from the border. In fact the next port of entry is only about three miles from there. People that live around here say that's why this type of thing happens more often than people think.

Denise Spence- Resident, "I wouldn't say common, but it happens quite a bit. Too much in my opinion."

The name of the victim has not yet been released and all we know is that he's a Hispanic man in his late 30's.

No one else was injured in the incident.