10:06 AM PST on Thursday, January 26, 2006

By GLENN FARLEY / KING 5 News

BELLINGHAM - A dramatic chase of two murder suspects that ended just feet from the Canadian border Tuesday night in Blaine is causing a huge controversy in Canada, where the government is reconsidering key positions on guns for border agents.  

In court Wednesday, prosecutors said Jose Antonio Barabjas was the driver racing 100 miles per hour for the Canadian Border with Whatcom County deputies in pursuit.  

Warned that the two fleeing suspects were heading their way, two officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection set up a road block.

“There were two female inspectors at that location. They weren't hurt, they discharged their service weapons a couple of times,” said Mac Setter, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Whatcom County. One of those rounds hit co-defendant Ishtiaq Hussain in the neck. He is now in the hospital.

The dramatic chase ended literally at the Peach Arch, with the car disabled by a sheriff's deputy just three feet inside the United States.

KING

The incident occurred at the Peace Arch border crossing into B.C.

Hearing that a chase was heading their way, Canadian customs agents left their posts, as they are allowed to do since they aren't allowed to carry guns.

“These inspectors are unarmed at the port,” said a Canadian Border Union official. “They're very concerned about their health and safety and they walked off the job, previous to the incident occurring.”

 Now that policy might be changing. 

“Clearly that needs to be looked at,” said John Les, B.C. Minister for Public Safety.

Following recent elections, security is getting tougher scrutiny.

 “Our recommendation is that police have guns on the border posts to provide security, or that the border services agency officials should be armed to provide for their own protection,” said Russ Hiegert, Conservative MP.

Richmond, Calif., police Lt. Mark Gagan said Ishtiaq Hussain, 38, of Pakistan, and Jose Antonio Barajas, 22, of Mexico, had been sought in the shooting death of Ashok Malhotra, 43, in an apartment Saturday, and police believed they might try to flee the country.

AP

Ishtiaq Hussain and Jose Antonio Barajas