Missing TX Nat’l Guard soldier found dead Rio Grande River exiting Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National Park, Texas. (Ken Lund/Flickr)
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates as more information becomes available.
Officials have found the body of Specialist Bishop E. Evans, 22, a Texas Army National Guard soldier who went missing on Friday while attempting to rescue illegal immigrants – who were later identified as alleged drug smugglers – in the Rio Grande.
BREAKING: The body of a missing Texas Army National Guard soldier — Specialist Bishop Evans, assigned to Operation Lone Star — has been found. He was 22. He is believed to have drowned while saving two migrants, alleged to be drug smugglers, in the Rio Grande. RIP. pic.twitter.com/LRGivdKpyq
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) April 25, 2022
According to a now-deleted press release issued by the Texas Military Department on Monday, Evans was assigned to Operation Lone Star and tried to “selflessly help migrants who appeared to be drowning as they tried to cross the river from Mexico into the U.S.”
“We are devastated by the loss of a member of our Guard family,” Maj Gen Tom Suelzer, Adjutant General for Texas said in a statement. “We recognize the selflessness of this heroic Soldier who put his life above others in service to our state and national security. The Texas Military Department sends our deepest condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time”
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement saying he is heartbroken over the death of Evans.
“Our National Guard soldiers risk their lives every day to serve and protect others and we are eternally grateful for the way SPC Evans heroically served his state and country,” Abbott said. “I ask that Texans join Cecilia and me in praying for the family and friends of SPC Evans as they grieve this heartbreaking loss.”
As of Monday afternoon, President Joe Biden has not addressed the incident.
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales tweeted that Evans will be remembered for his “bravery and compassion.”
“SPC. Evans will forever be remembered for the bravery and compassion he showed while saving lives in the Rio Grande. We will make sure this young soldier’s sacrifice will never be forgotten,” Gonzales wrote.
SPC. Evans will forever be remembered for the bravery and compassion he showed while saving lives in the Rio Grande. We will make sure this young soldier’s sacrifice will never be forgotten. https://t.co/w4gART2snc
— Rep. Tony Gonzales (@RepTonyGonzales) April 24, 2022
Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that the illega
BREAKING: Texas Rangers have determined that the two migrants a TX National Guard soldier tried to save before drowning in the Rio Grande were “involved in illicit transnational narcotics trafficking”, and are in federal custody. Soldier still missing, family notified. @FoxNews
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) April 23, 2022
