The Texas Military Department (TMD) said in a press release that Evans, a specialist, is a 22-year-old field gunner from Arlington, Texas, and has served in the security for nearly two years.
Evans was reportedly sent to Kuwait on assignment in Iraq as part of Operation Spartan Shield before serving on the southern border of Texas.
CNN reported on Friday that Evans had been assigned to Operation Lone Star, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s efforts to fight what he called the U.S.-Mexico border crisis.
TMD, along with state and federal rescue and safety agencies, have yet to find Evans.
The diving teams suspended operations on the Rio Grande on Saturday night as the river continued at an “increased” pace, the statement said.
Three U.S. public safety aircraft were added to the rescue effort on Sunday morning, according to TMD.
Local law enforcement said on Friday that Evans had tried to rescue a woman who was crossing the Rio Grande near Eagle Pass, Texas, and “never showed up,” according to a CNN report.
In an updated statement Saturday, TMD said the soldier “selflessly tried” to help two migrants who appeared to be drowning as they crossed the river from Mexico to the United States.
“The Texas Public Security, Parks and Wildlife Division of Texas and the Border Patrol continue to support TMD with Texas Rangers as a leader in the investigation that began yesterday when the serviceman went missing,” the statement said.
According to initial reports from Texas Rangers, the two migrants are suspected of being “involved in illegal transnational drug trafficking” and are currently under arrest by US Customs and Border Patrols.
Evans’ family was notified of the disappearance on Friday night, according to the report.
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