Suspect in Critical but Stable Condition Following Border Patrol Shooting in Southern Arizona

Arivaca, Arizona — January 28, 2026 — A 34-year-old Arizona man identified as Patrick Gary Schlegel remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition after being shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during an incident tied to an alleged human smuggling operation in rural southern Arizona on Tuesday morning.

The shooting occurred around 7:30 a.m. near milepost 15 on West Arivaca Road, approximately 10 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border and roughly 50 miles southwest of Tucson in Pima County. According to officials, Border Patrol agents attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle suspected in an active alien smuggling case. The driver, later identified as Schlegel, fled on foot after passengers reportedly exited and scattered.

During the pursuit, Schlegel allegedly fired shots at a Customs and Border Protection helicopter overhead and then at pursuing agents on the ground. The agent returned fire, striking Schlegel. No federal personnel were injured in the exchange.

Emergency responders from the Santa Rita Fire District and American Medical Response arrived shortly after, finding Schlegel in custody and in critical condition. He received on-scene treatment—including aid from the involved Border Patrol agent—before being airlifted to a regional trauma center. Authorities later confirmed he underwent surgery and his condition was upgraded to serious but stable as of Tuesday evening.

The FBI's Phoenix field office is leading the investigation into what it described as an "alleged assault on a federal officer." Schlegel, a resident of Sahuarita with a prior criminal history including a 2024 conviction for transporting illegal aliens and firearms possession, is expected to face charges related to assault on a federal officer, alien smuggling, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He was described by officials as a fugitive who had escaped from a halfway house.

The Pima County Sheriff's Department is conducting a parallel probe and leading the use-of-force review of the agent's actions, a standard procedure for federal-involved shootings in the county. Customs and Border Protection has also initiated an internal Office of Professional Responsibility investigation.

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos stated during a Tuesday news conference that, based on preliminary information, he believes the agent acted lawfully. The incident unfolded amid heightened national scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement, following recent fatal shootings by immigration officers in Minneapolis that sparked protests and criticism of Department of Homeland Security policies.

No further updates on Schlegel's condition or potential charges were available as of Wednesday morning, with investigations ongoing. Authorities have urged patience as the complex incident is reviewed.

17GEN4.com