( CNN ) Federal and local authorities are investigating a deadly shooting by a U.S. Border Patrol Agent in Washington State . The U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the agent fired when a suspected `` illegal border crosser '' assaulted him during a patrol along the U.S.-Canadian border on Thursday . The reported shooting happened near the Huntington Border Crossing which connects the cities of Sumas , Washington , and Abbotsford , British Columbia . It is one of several area border crossings between the U.S. and Canada and is located east of Bellingham , Washington , and Vancouver , British Columbia . The Bellingham Herald newspaper , citing police radio dispatches , said the man was struck in the head . `` The agent had been hit by pepper spray but was n't seriously injured , according to police radio traffic , '' the newspaper said . The shooting apparently happened on an east-west road less than 1,000 feet from the border . Video from CNN partner CTV Network showed a covered body lying on the roadway , surrounded by police and investigation vehicles . The Border Patrol agent and the shooting victim have not been identified . The FBI and Whatcom County Sheriff 's Office are assisting in the investigation . CNN 's Tina Burnside , Greg Morrison and Christine Sever contributed to this report .
Officials : Agent fired when a suspected illegal border crosser assaulted him . Comment: