http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101215/...izona_shooting

PHOENIX (Reuters) – A U.S. Border Patrol agent was shot dead by assailants close to the Mexico border in southern Arizona and four suspects have been arrested, authorities said on Wednesday.

Agent Brian A. Terry was shot dead while on patrol near the border city of Nogales on Tuesday night, Tucson sector Border Patrol spokesman Mario Escalante said.

"We have four subjects in custody and we are continuing the search for more subjects," Escalante told Reuters.

Arizona straddles a furiously trafficked corridor for human and drug smugglers from Mexico.

Escalante said the FBI was leading the investigation into the shooting and would provide further details during the day.

(Reporting by Tim Gaynor, editing by Peter Bohan)