POTUS phones parents of slain agent

WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Obama phoned the parents of a U.S. Immigration agent Wednesday who was shot and killed in Mexico on Tuesday.

“The president has been fully informed on what happened in Mexico and earlier this morning the president called the parents of special agent Jaime Zapata to send his and Michelle’s heartfelt condolences on the loss of their son yesterday,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in his first briefing from the podium. “The president told them that no words could express the sadness of the loss of a loved one. Their son served our country admirably the president said and assured the parents that the entire country was grateful for his selfless service and contribution to our nation.”

Zapata, along with another unnamed agent with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement encountered an attack from gunmen as the two men were driving between Mexico City, and Monterrey, Mexico on Tuesday. The other agent traveling with Zapata was in stable condition after being shot in the arm and leg, according to a written statement from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The agents were doing “routine work,” as they drove on a well-traveled highway in an armored car with diplomatic plates. They were forced off the road and surrounded by a group of 10 people according to an ICE official.

Zapata, who joined ICE in 2006, was most recently detailed to ICE’s Attache Office at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. He also served on the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Unit, and the Border Enforcement Security Task Force from his posting in Laredo, Texas.