Cross-Border Shooting at US-Mexico Border: Where Is the Crime?

If a shooter in the **United States** fires across the border and strikes a victim in **Mexico**:

• The crime occurs in Mexico (where the victim is hit).
• Mexico has primary jurisdiction over the homicide/assault.
• The U.S. may also assert jurisdiction over the shooter's conduct (discharging a weapon, attempted murder, export of violence) under territorial and protective principles.

Practical outcome:

1. Mexico investigates, seeks extradition.
2. U.S. may prosecute federally (e.g., 18 USC § 1119 - foreign murder of US nationals; or firearms offenses).
3. Extradition depends on treaty, death penalty assurances, evidence sharing.
4. High-profile cases (e.g., Border Patrol shootings) involve both nations' justice systems and diplomatic channels.

Key principle: Locus delicti (place of the crime) is where the harmful result occurs—here, Mexico. But concurrent jurisdiction is common in cross-border violence.