This is the moment a four-year-old boy is dropped from the top of a US border wall near San Diego shortly before US border agents who went to help were shot at.

The night vision-style footage appears to show the young boy being dropped over the border wall, which looks to be about 20 feet high, by an adult, according to American media.

The boy can then be seen getting up and walking away a few paces before other people drop down on the American side of the border wall with Mexico.

The images then show the group of people walking along the wall and away from the area, taking a few breaks on the way before the footage ends.

US Border Patrol agents who went to the scene to intercept the individuals in the footage were reportedly fired upon, according to American media.

It is understood that the child is now in the custody of US authorities, with Newsflash obtaining a statement from Raul Ortiz, the head of the US Border Patrol, on Monday, 22nd May, saying: “A 4-year-old was dropped from the border barrier by an unknown subject in San Diego, Monday.

“Responding Agents and EMS providing first aid to the child also reported gunshots near their position while tending to the child. Remarkably, the child is ok! Do not trust smugglers!”

American media said that the incident took place on 15th May about half a mile from the San Ysidro border crossing into San Diego in the US state of California.

The child, who was not named, was reportedly lightly injured in the fall and was seen to by first responders.

The US Customs and Border Protection reportedly said in a statement: “Agents reported hearing both the impact and ricochet of gunshots off of the secondary border barrier just north of their location.”

They added: “With emergency medical services, the San Diego Fire Department, and the child still on scene, agents directed everyone in the area to cover.”

There have been no further updates on the status of the other individuals involved in the incident.