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Fundraiser held for victims' families shot by Border Patrol agent

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TUCSON, Ariz. — A fundraiser was held Monday night for the family of a teen shot and killed by a Border Patrol agent.

16-year-old Jose Antonio Elena Rodriguez was throwing rocks at a Border Patrol agent in Nogales, Sonora when the agent shot him 16 times.

Now the Border Patrol Victims Network hopes to send Rodriguez's mother and grandmother to Washington D.C. for a Supreme Court hearing.

The November 12th hearing will determine the fate of civil lawsuits against border patrol in shooting deaths of those killed by agents on Mexican soil.

Border Patrol Victims Network Ana Maria Vasquez said "We think that these families are the ones who are going to open up the hearts of these judges who need to make the right decision, who need to stand for the protection of life on all sides of the border."

Last November Border Patrol agent Lonnie Swartz was found not guilty of involuntary manslaughter for the death of Rodriguez, and federal prosecutors say they won't pursue another trial.

The event was held at La Indita Mexican restaurant on Fourth Avenue from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.