2 National Guard, 1 Border Patrol agent killed in helicopter crash on U.S.-Mexico border

A helicopter crash on the U.S.-Mexico border killed two National Guardsmen and one Border Patrol agent on Friday afternoon while conducting operations for the federal government in Texas.

The UH-72 Lakota helicopter crashed in the Rio Grande Valley, and in addition to the deaths, another soldier was critically injured in the crash.

The Starr County Sheriff’s Office secured the scene until federal officials arrived.

Those killed were later identified as John M. Grassia III and Casey Frankoski, both of New York. Jacob Pratt was the soldier critically injured, and the Border Patrol agent's name has not been released.

We mourn these heartbreaking deaths,” a post on X by National Guard Head Gen. Daniel Hokanson said. “They are a tragic loss beyond words. All of these people represent selfless service & the best of America.”

The border in the Rio Grande area is heavily patrolled and air surveillance there is routine.