International bridge closes because of suspicious activity in Mexico

BROWNSVILLE - The crossing lanes at the Veterans International Bridge were temporarily closed on both sides of the border Thursday afternoon because of the possibility of a shooting in Matamoros, officials said.

The southbound and northbound lanes of the international bridge were closed to bridge traffic for 20-30 minutes at about 3 p.m.

Eddie Perez, public liaison for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, said Mexican immigration officials closed the southbound lanes and Cameron County officials ordered the closing of the northbound lanes.

Cameron County Administrator Pete Sepulveda Jr. confirmed that the county bridge was ordered closed because of an event that occurred in Matamoros.

Although there were reports of a shooting in Matamoros, nothing was confirmed, Sepulveda said.