Juvenile driver from chopper shooting recaptured

He was arrested immediately after the chase near La Joya, but confusion among authorities led to his release to his family

Associated Press

McALLEN, Texas — A 14-year-old driver whose high-speed flight from authorities near the Texas-Mexico border ended with two Guatemalan immigrants being shot to death by a trooper in a helicopter has been recaptured after he failed to appear in court.

The juvenile, whose identity is not being released, appeared before a judge Monday. He was arrested immediately after the Oct. 25 chase near La Joya, but confusion among authorities led to his release to his family.

A state trooper fired on the pickup truck from a police helicopter thinking it was carrying drugs, not nine immigrants. McAllen police arrested the teenager Friday on an unrelated theft charge.

Texas Parks and Wildlife spokesman Mike Cox told The Associated Press he would likely face at least a charge for evading.

Copyright 2012 Associated Press