Border reopens after shooting

This is a disturbing story. I don't know if this kind of thing happens very often, or if it's just news now because of the whole national immigration debate. Either way, it makes me wonder if deadly force was really necessary. According to relatively sparse info I've been able to find online, agents were alerted that this SUV was seen picking up illegals on the US side and was suspected of being a people smuggler. That's not a good thing, and running from authorities is highly suspicious. But keeping in mind the London Underground shooting last year, I don't think running from authorities should automatically lead to gunfire. Perhaps the agents had other information which isn't in the news. I would hope so anyway.

This leads me to a somewhat related thought. I know that there are people on the far edge of this immigation issue who think we should basically shoot on sight any people attempting to cross the border illegally. I hope that kind of thinking doesn't influence the actual practices of border patrol agents. I think border security is somewhat important, but it certainly isn't the end-all issue many people seem to think it is. (A determined terrorist will find a way to get in even if we build the mother of all fences. People forget that the 9/11 hijackers entered the country on visas). It certainly isn't reason to shoot otherwise innocent people on sight.