Border Patrol Agent Shoots Suspect Near Arivaca, Arizona
A man was critically wounded Jan. 27 after allegedly firing at a Border Patrol helicopter and agents near Arivaca, Arizona.
Overview
U.S. Border Patrol agents shot and critically wounded Patrick Gary Schlegel, 34, on Jan. 27 after he allegedly fired at a Customs and Border Protection helicopter and agents near Arivaca, Arizona, Pima County officials said.
The confrontation began about 7:20 a.m. when agents tried to stop a pickup truck believed to be involved in human smuggling and the driver fled on foot into rugged terrain, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and court records.
The FBI said it is "investigating an alleged assault on a federal officer" and asked the Pima County Sheriff's Department to lead the use-of-force probe, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Professional Responsibility opened an internal review, officials confirmed.
Schlegel was convicted in federal court in 2023 of smuggling unauthorized migrants and possessing firearms as a felon, and he escaped custody in 2024, court records show; he now faces likely federal charges including assault on a federal officer and alien smuggling, according to FBI Phoenix officials.
Investigators said the wounded suspect was airlifted to a regional trauma center and remains in custody, and authorities warned the probes by the FBI, Pima County and CBP could take weeks as officials disputed whether the suspect fired at the helicopter.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the incident through official law‑enforcement perspectives, foregrounding alleged offenses and criminal history while noting scant independent corroboration and national context. Editorial choices prioritize FBI/CBP and sheriff statements and structure the piece around authority accounts; source content supplies quoted allegations and case details rather than alternative community viewpoints.
Sources (17)
FAQ
Patrick Gary Schlegel, 34, from Arizona, was convicted in federal court in 2023 of smuggling unauthorized migrants and possessing firearms as a felon. He escaped custody in 2024 and had an active warrant.
Border Patrol agents attempted to stop a pickup truck suspected in human smuggling around 7:20 a.m. on Jan. 27. The driver, Schlegel, fled on foot into rugged terrain, fired at a CBP helicopter and agents, prompting agents to return fire.
Schlegel was critically wounded, airlifted to a regional trauma center in Tucson, underwent surgery, and remains in custody while recovering.
The FBI is investigating the alleged assault on a federal officer. Pima County Sheriff's Department is leading the use-of-force probe at FBI's request. CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an internal review.
Schlegel faces likely federal charges including assault on a federal officer and alien smuggling, in addition to his prior escape warrant.
History
11 sources