UPDATED: Missing Texas national guardsman assigned to New Braunfels still missing, believed to have drowned in Rio Grande River
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square
UPDATE: AUSTIN, Texas – The missing Texas Army National Guard Soldier, Specialist Bishop E. Evans, assigned to Operation Lone Star, has been found deceased following an exhaustive interagency search.
SPC Evans went missing while trying to selflessly help migrants who appeared to be drowning as they tried to cross the river from Mexico into the U.S, on Friday, April 22, 2022.
“We are devastated by the loss of a member of our Guard family,” said Maj Gen Tom Suelzer, Adjutant General for Texas. “We recognize the selflessness of this heroic Soldier who put his life above others in service to our state and national security. The Texas Military Department sends our deepest condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time”
A Texas National Guard soldier participating in Operation Lone Star remains missing after he attempted to save a woman crossing the Rio Grande River.
The Soldier was identified as as 22-year-old Texas Army National Guard Specialist Bishop E. Evans of Arlington. Evens is a field artilleryman assigned to New Braunfels, A Battery, 4-133 Field Artillery Regiment, and joined the Texas Army National Guard in May 2019.
The guardsman was first reported missing in Eagle Pass, Texas, located roughly 143 miles southwest of San Antonio. The area is a major crossing point for people attempting to cross the Rio Grande River, and into Texas illegally, often drowning in the process.
The guardsman was first reported missing Friday morning. Shortly before 2 p.m. CST, law enforcement found a walkie-talkie and body armor that belonged to a guardsman.
Some news reports said the guardsman had drowned but the Texas Military Department issued a statement saying, “A Texas Army National Guard Soldier assigned to Operation Lone Star has gone missing along the river during a mission related incident … The Soldier has not been found. We are aware of reports of a fatality, although those reports are inaccurate.”
“The Texas Governor’s office continues to work with the Texas National Guard and other law enforcement agencies as they search for the missing soldier,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement.
Later, the Texas Military Department issued another statement, saying, “The search for our missing National Guard Soldier continues,” adding that the Texas Rangers took the lead in the investigation. Other agencies providing support in the investigation include the Texas Department of Public Safety, Parks and Wildlife, and Border Patrol.
Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber told the Washington Examiner the incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. “The National Guard soldiers saw a group of immigrants crossing, and one of them, a lady – it appeared that she was drowning,” Schmerber said. “The National Guardsman jumped into the river and tried to rescue, and he never came out. So they called us and said, ‘We’re still looking for him.’”
Updates on the investigation “will be provided as additional details become available,” the governor’s office said.
Texas National Guard Specialist Bishop Evans is a hero who risked his life in service to Texas & America.
Law enforcement & rescue teams continue a relentless search for him.
Join us in prayer for a successful recovery.
Updates will be provided when they become available. pic.twitter.com/nULof4gcwl
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 24, 2022
This is tragic and heartbreaking for the family and the nation. Specialist Bishop E. Evans is a man of virtue who was trying to save a life and has received no national media coverage. Where are our leaders in Washington? Where is BLM? Open borders lead to violence, human trafficking, food shortages, spiking COVID numbers and drug overdoses. Is this what the Democrats voted for?