Authorities have confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is currently investigating the tragic suicide of a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer who died by a self-inflicted gunshot wound early Wednesday morning in the Bronx, New York.
The incident occurred around 6:42 a.m. near the intersection of Westchester Avenue and East 152nd Street in the Melrose neighborhood. The victim, a 29-year-old man whose identity has not yet been released publicly pending family notification, was found unresponsive after apparently taking his own life with a firearm belonging to his girlfriend, who serves as an officer with the New York Police Department (NYPD).
According to preliminary reports, responding officers and emergency medical services arrived on the scene moments after receiving a distress call. Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS personnel.
Law enforcement officials say early evidence indicates the CBP officer used his girlfriend’s service weapon in the act, raising additional questions about how the firearm came into his possession and whether any procedural violations occurred.
The FBI has taken the lead in the investigation, working in collaboration with the NYPD and the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General. Investigators are focusing on the circumstances surrounding the shooting, the mental health history of the deceased, and the events that preceded the tragedy.
The heartbreaking incident has sent shockwaves through both the Customs and Border Protection and NYPD communities, as colleagues, friends, and family members struggle to come to terms with the sudden loss.
Sources familiar with the investigation say that the couple had been in a relationship for some time, and there were no immediate reports of prior domestic issues or signs of distress that might have foreshadowed such an outcome.
Mental health struggles among law enforcement and federal officers have been a growing concern nationwide. The demands of the job—long hours, exposure to trauma, and the stress of public safety responsibilities—can take a severe toll on emotional well-being.
In recent years, several law enforcement agencies have increased access to counseling services, peer support programs, and crisis intervention resources. Despite these efforts, suicides among officers continue to be a critical issue that departments across the country are striving to address.
Community members in Melrose expressed their shock at the morning’s events, describing the scene as deeply unsettling. Police closed off several streets in the area for hours as detectives collected evidence and processed the scene.
