Sheriff Chris Nanos of Pima County told reporters that no agents were injured during the shootout and that authorities believe the use of force was lawful based on preliminary information.
A 34-year-old Arizona man was shot and wounded by a US Border Patrol agent Tuesday in southern Arizona after opening fire during an attempted arrest, law enforcement officials said. The incident unfolded near Arivaca, about 10 miles north of the US-Mexico border.
Officials identified the man as Patrick Gary Schlegel, according to ABC News, a suspect wanted in connection with human smuggling who fled authorities and fired at federal agents and a Customs and Border Protection helicopter. Schlegel was hospitalized in serious but stable condition after the shooting and will face federal charges, including assault on a federal officer, alien smuggling, and illegal firearm possession.
Authorities said the encounter began during a Border Patrol traffic stop in the morning. The vehicle linked to a suspected human trafficking case failed to yield, prompting agents to pursue. The driver fled on foot and opened fire, officials said, leading to return fire by a Border Patrol agent who struck Schlegel.
Sheriff Chris Nanos of Pima County told reporters that no agents were injured during the shootout and that authorities believe the use of force was lawful based on preliminary information.
The FBI’s Phoenix division is investigating the shooting as part of a standard review of incidents involving federal officers. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is assisting with the use-of-force investigation.
Schlegel has a criminal history tied to human smuggling and firearms offenses and had an active federal warrant after escaping custody in December while serving part of a sentence for a previous smuggling conviction, court records show. “Let me be clear, any assault on law enforcement officers will not be tolerated,” said FBI Special Agent Heith Janke at a briefing.
The Arizona shooting comes as federal immigration enforcement actions have drawn significant public attention following two recent fatal shootings by immigration officers in Minnesota
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