The body of the missing Texas National Guard Soldier was found, officials confirmed on Monday.
The missing National Guard member who drowned on Friday was identified as Specialist Bishop Evans.
He went missing in the Rio Grande when attempting to rescue drug traffickers on the border.
NEW: The TX National Guard soldier who is presumed to have drowned in the Rio Grande on Friday has been identified as 22-year-old Specialist Bishop E. Evans from Arlington, TX. His body still hasn’t been found, & TX Rangers say the people he tried to save were drug smugglers.
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 24, 2022
BREAKING: Multiple sources confirm the body of missing TX National Guard soldier SPC. Bishop Evans was found this morning. He is presumed to have drowned after jumping into the Rio Grande to save two people crossing illegally in Eagle Pass on Friday.
Pic from source. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/6Ahij5a8BD— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 25, 2022
NEW: First photos of 22-year-old TX National Guard SPC. Bishop E. Evans of Arlington, TX, who has been missing since Friday morning and is presumed to have drowned in the Rio Grande in Eagle Pass after he jumped in to save lives. Photos courtesy of his family. @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/989c7iWAMI
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) April 24, 2022
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released this statement:
“We are heartbroken to learn of the death of SPC Bishop E. Evans who was reported missing in Eagle Pass on Friday,” said Governor Abbott. “Our National Guard soldiers risk their lives every day to serve and protect others and we are eternally grateful for the way SPC Evans heroically served his state and country. I thank the members of the Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Border Patrol, and local law enforcement for working around the clock to locate this soldier. The Texas Military Department will continue to provide more updates to the public as they become available. I ask that Texans join Cecilia and me in praying for the family and friends of SPC Evans as they grieve this heartbreaking loss.”
We are heartbroken to learn of the death of SPC Bishop Evans.
He heroically served his state & country.
I want to thank all rescue teams that worked to locate this soldier.
Join me & Cecilia in praying for the family & friends of SPC Evans. pic.twitter.com/xwSZlqEGhT
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) April 25, 2022
KHOU 11 reported:
Officials did not say when Evans’ body was found, but crews continued searching Sunday morning with three extra airboats given by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
A search of Evans’ body was halted Saturday due to increasingly difficult conditions in the river.
Spc. Evans was a 22-year-old from Arlington, Texas, where he attended Mansfield High School. He joined the Texas Army National Guard in May of 2019 and was assigned to the 4-133 Field Artillery Regiment in New Braunfels.
Evans was also a member of Operation Spartan Shield in Kuwait during the fall of 2020.
The TMD says Evans’ dedication, talents and tactical prowess led him to also be regularly assigned to support Special Operations Forces in Iraq.
KHOU 11 aired this video report:
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