A tragic helicopter crash near the border with Mexico in southern Texas has left three National Guard members and a Border Patrol agent dead, with a fourth person critically injured. The UH-72 Lakota helicopter, which was patrolling the border and tracking individuals crossing into the United States illegally, went down in an open field at around 2:50 p.m. The crash occurred near La Grulla, Texas, about 40 miles west of McAllen.

Starr County Judge Eloy Vera was notified of the crash by the county sheriff's office around 7:30 p.m. The victims have not been identified as their families have not yet been notified. The Department of Homeland Security, National Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and Texas Department of Public Safety have not provided any comments on the incident.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, and the cause is under investigation. Sen. John Cornyn expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured. This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.