Fallen Border Patrol agent’s family forgives shooter

PHOENIX — While investigators haven’t named the agent who shot and killed Nicholas Ivie in an accidental gunfight, the Ivie family has the information, and has forgiven the agent.

Federal investigators said Ivie opened fire on fellow border patrol agents last Tuesday, mistaking them for armed drug smugglers. The agent who returned fire has been embraced by the Ivies, family spokesman Kevin Goates said.

Goates said the unnamed agent sat in the front row with the family at Nick Ivie’s funeral in Sierra Vista on Monday.

“He went around the room one by one, and there were great words of kindness, love and respect,” Goates said.

In what Goates called one of the most moving experiences of his life, Ivie’s wife personally forgave the agent.

“To see Christy hug this man and whisper words of comfort to him was just an incredible example of her setting aside her pain and grief,” Goates said.