Family of ICE agent killed in attack files wrongful death claim against US government

Quote :: The family of an Immigration and Customs agent slain in Mexico has filed a $25 million wrongful death claim against the U.S. government.

A pair of South Texas law firms representing the family of ICE Agent Jaime Zapata filed the claim June 14 and named ICE, the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Justice Department as defendants. Attorneys for Zapata's parents, Mary and Amador Zapata, named several supervisors at the agencies and FBI Director Robert Mueller and Attorney General Eric Holder.

The claim notice is a precursor to a lawsuit.

A Justice Department spokesman declined to comment.

Attorneys in the case, Raymond Thomas and Benigno Martinez, were out of the office and could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

Zapata was killed in a roadside attack near San Luis Potosi in northern Mexico in February 2011. Fellow agent Victor Avila was wounded.

A separate, $12.5 million claim citing negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress was filed on Avila's behalf.