A man is in critical condition following a shooting involving U.S. Border Patrol agents in Arivaca, Arizona, on Tuesday morning. The FBI said the incident occurred after the suspect allegedly assaulted a federal officer.
The shooting took place around 7:30 a.m. near milepost 15 of West Arivaca Road, close to the U.S.–Mexico border. According to the Associated Press, the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Patrick Gary Schlegel, opened fire at a Border Patrol helicopter as agents attempted to detain him. Agents returned fire, injuring Schlegel.
Schlegel was transported to a hospital in critical condition by the Santa Rita Fire District and was recovering from surgery on Tuesday night. Authorities stated he has a criminal history, including a warrant for escape related to a smuggling conviction, and is expected to face criminal charges.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department is collaborating with the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the ongoing investigation. Further details about the sequence of events and whether any federal officers were injured have not been released.
The shooting occurs amid heightened tensions following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis by Border Patrol and ICE officers earlier this month. Those incidents sparked protests and renewed scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement actions.
