By Steve Neavling
An off-duty CBP officer has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly firing 11 shots at a teenage driver during a road rage incident in El Paso, Texas.
Hector Luis Zubia, 34, claimed that the 19-year-old driver initiated the confrontation by ramming his truck twice — once on the side and again in the rear — according to court filings. Zubia said the young man, identified in documents as Cardoza, posed a threat by driving toward him, Newsweek reports.
However, investigators said Zubia’s story doesn’t align with the evidence. Authorities believe the CBP officer opened fire as Cardoza attempted to flee the scene.
Zubia, who was still wearing his uniform, told police the road rage altercation began while he was on his way home after finishing his shift at the 1000 South El Paso port of entry in September.
Court records show Zubia claimed that after Cardoza hit his truck twice, he pulled over on the freeway ramp, exited his vehicle, and drew his firearm. He said he commanded the young driver to stop and aimed his weapon at him.
“I was just trying to get him to stop,” Zubia reportedly told investigators. “Then I was going to try to take him into custody because I didn’t know why he was doing this.”
Zubia said that as he pointed his gun, Cardoza put his car in reverse and drove toward him, prompting Zubia to fire his weapon.
Cardoza was later found with his vehicle, which showed signs of damage. He told police Zubia had cut him off during the altercation. Cardoza said Zubia’s sudden stop caused his car to strike the back of Zubia’s truck, but he denied hearing any verbal warnings — only the sound of gunshots. In fear for his life, he fled the scene.
A witness provided a different version of events to detectives, saying that Zubia’s truck seemed to be the aggressor. The witness also recalled seeing the teen driver reverse his vehicle right before hearing gunfire.
Zubia was arrested and released from the El Paso County Jail after posting a $250,000 bond, according to police.
In a statement, the El Paso Police Department said: “On September 6th, 2024, officers were dispatched to a reported shooting on the border highway. Upon arrival, officers spoke with Zubia, who claimed another vehicle, identified as a Saturn Aura, had collided with his truck twice.
“The investigation found that both vehicles came to a stop on the entrance ramp to Loop 375 East. Zubia alleged he fired at Cardoza when the vehicle drove toward him. However, the Crimes Against Persons Unit determined Zubia’s account was inconsistent with the evidence collected at the scene.”
