"Gunwalker": Agent's family wants death details

A Senate committee investigating the so-called "gunwalking" scandal spent hours Tuesday questioning Attorney General Eric Holder, who testified that "Operation Fast and Furious," which has been tied to the murder of a U.S. Border Patrol agent, should never happen again.

Agent Brian Terry was gunned down in Arizona near the Mexican border 11 months ago. Two assault rifles that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) allegedly let walk into the hands of Mexican drug cartels in "Fast and Furious" were found at the scene.

CBS News investigative correspondent Sharyl Attkisson, who broke this story, has spoken exclusively with the agent's family. Terry's family told Attkisson they still have few details about the true circumstances of his death. They watched the Senate hearing, hoping to find some answers.

At the session, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) asked Holder if he would "like to apologize today for this program that went so wrong, that took the life of a United States law enforcement agent."

Holder said, "I certainly regret what happened to agent Brian Terry. It is not fair, however, to assume that the mistakes that happened in 'Fast and Furious' directly led to the death of agent Terry."

Brian Terry's father, Kent, and his mother, Josie, shared their thoughts on the testimony with Attkisson.

Josie Terry said of Holder, "I thought he was very evasive. I thought that this was his second time around, and I still didn't get anything out of it -- at all. Seems like all the questions that he was asked, he was evading or throwing someone else underneath the bus."

Kent Terry added, "We've heard five different stories, and every time we hear (a new) one, (it) is different. We never got a straight answer."

For the first time, Brian's parents -- who are divorced-- spoke at length about saying goodbye to their son -- a former Marine -- and their long search for answers.

Josie Terry said, "The last time Brian was home, we were just talking about something and he said, 'You know, Mom,' he said something bad is going to happen. He said, 'I just have that feeling.' He said, 'Somebody's going to get hurt."'

Brian's mom watches videos of him on the computer. His dad says he finds it hard to visit his son's grave.

Kent Terry said, "It's rough. I can answer, it's been pure hell is what it's been."

Josie Terry said, "I just remember things he said. I don't know. I can't explain it. He always looked out for me. And I miss that."

Both say they're still waiting for some official to take responsibility for the gunwalking operation that allegedly trafficked the weapons found at the murder scene.

Josie Terry said, "I couldn't believe that something like that would happen. I just couldn't believe that they would let those guns go across the border, and all them other innocent people in Mexico would get killed with those same guns."

For more on this investigation, visit CBS Investigates.

"Like my mom used to tell me, that lie's gonna catch up with you," Kent Terry said. "That's what's gonna happen to them. It's gonna catch up to them."

Josie Terry added, "I think that they know they did wrong, and if it wasn't for Brian's death I don't think -- I think this would still being going on."

"I think he'd want justice for them guns going over the border," Kent Terry said. "It's not right, and I think our politicians who were involved in it should pay -- pay the price."

Josie said, "Brian loved his country. Brian was a true Marine, he was a true American. When Brian was a Marine, he used to always say you never leave a man behind. And I think they're leaving my son behind, that's what I think. And I know that would be a disgrace to him."

Attkisson added on "The Early Show," "The Terry family says they're at such a loss for information, they're planning to file a wrongful death claim against the federal government to shake the tree and try to bring some details and closure their way."