American woman dies after being shot near San Fernando, Tamaulipas

by Katie Lopez
Valley Central.com/Action 4 News

Authorities are investigating the death of an American woman who was allegedly shot near San Fernando and came across the Pharr International Bridge seeking help.

Investigators told Action 4 News that 59-year-old Nancy Shuman Davis is dead following an incident that around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials confirm that a woman came to the United States seeking medical attention.

Pharr Police Chief Ruben Villescas told Action 4 News that his agency is investigating the case.

Villescas told Action 4 News that a woman later identified as Davis was rushed to the McAllen Mediical Center where she passed away.

Davis' husband told investigators that they were traveling on a highway outside San Fernando when they were confronted by a group of armed men.

He told police that he sped off and that the gunmen opened fire wounding his wife in the head.

The man said he sped back to the United States where he asked for help at the bridge.

A tweet posted by the Beavertown God's Missionary Church in Beavertown, Pa., said Davis "has gone to heaven as a martyr."

"Missionary Nancy Davis has gone to Heaven as a martyr," the online post states. "This afternoon, after 38 years of missionary service she paid the ultimate sacrifice."

Statement from Pharr Police Department:

On Wednesday January 26, 2011 at 12:25 p.m. a Pharr Police Officer assigned to the Pharr International Bridge observed a 2008 blue Chevrolet pick-up truck on the international bridge travelling northbound against traffic towards the U.S. Customs primary checkpoint.

Pharr Officers and U.S. Customs Agents approached the vehicle which had stopped due to traffic and contacted the male driver who had already stepped out of his vehicle asking for help. The male driver quickly directed officers to his spouse who was in the front passenger seat suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. An ambulance was immediately summoned and the victim, Nancy Shuman Davis 59 year old of Monte Alto, Texas, was rushed to a hospital in nearby Mcallen, Texas in critical conditions. At 1:54 p.m., the victim was pronounced dead at the hospital and a Justice of the Peace conducted an inquest.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim and her spouse were travelling on a Mexican highway about 60-70 miles south of Reynosa, Tamaulipas when confronted by gunmen occupying a black pick-up truck. The gunmen were attempting to stop them and the victims accelerated in efforts of getting away from them. At a certain point the gunmen discharged a weapon at the victim’s vehicle and a bullet struck the victim Nancy Shuman Davis on the head.

The spouse drove at high rate of speed not allowing to be stopped by the gunmen until reaching the Pharr International Bridge and getting the help.

The victim and her spouse are missionaries and travel extensively into Mexico. We will be interviewing the spouse to learn more facts to include the nature of their visit in Mexico.

The Pharr Police Department has been in contact with Mexican authorities who have confirmed that they are investigating the shooting and indicate that it occurred near the outskirts of the City of San Fernando approximately 70 miles south of Reynosa, Tamualipas. We are being assisted in the case by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.), F.B.I.-Mcallen Office, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. We will be working with Mexican Authorities in the investigation providing any assistance they might require.

We are asking anyone with information on this Murder to contact Pharr Crimestoppers at 787-8477 or 800-648-8477. Mexican citizens with information can contact Crimestoppers at the same toll free # 800-648-8477 or they may also call collect 24 hours a day at 956-787-8477 .