Nicholas Ivie, border patrol agent, shot and killed, another agent wounded

A US Border Patrol agent has been shot dead and another wounded after coming under fire in an area of Arizona used by drug smugglers and human traffickers on Tuesday.

U.S. Border Patrol agent Nicholas Ivie, 30, is shown in this U.S. Customs and Border Protection photograph

Three agents were responding to a ground sensor that had been tripped about five miles from the Mexican border, near the city of Bisbee, when the shooting began, authorities said.

The wounded agent’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening while the third agent was unharmed.

The agent who was killed was named as Nicholas Ivie, originally from Utah. ABC confirms Ivie, age 30, was married, had two children.

He is the fourth border official to die in Arizona in the last two years.

Cochise County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Carol Capas said: “As they were walking up the trail, they reported taking gunfire. We have unknown suspect or suspects at this point.”

Cochise County Deputy Chief Rod Rothrock told ABC News affiliate KNXV, “Due to the time of day and the location, we suspect some kind of narcotics trafficking, but at this point that is speculative.”

“Cochise County has been a smuggling corridor for many, many years and that seems to be unabated in modern times,” he said.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano issued a statement saying, “I am deeply saddened by the death of Border Patrol Agent Nicholas J. Ivie and the attack on another Border Patrol Agent early this morning. Both agents were on patrol near Bisbee, Arizona when they came under fire from an unknown assailant. This act of violence reminds us of the risks our men and women confront, and the dangers they willingly undertake, while protecting our nation’s borders. We are working closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to track down those responsible for this inexcusable crime, and to bring them to justice.  I have ordered all DHS flags to fly at half staff in honor of our fallen CBP colleague. Together, we stand in solidarity with their families and friends at this difficult time, and pray for the continued safety of all who serve our country.”