A man who fired shots at U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents and a law enforcement helicopter was hospitalized in critical condition, authorities say.
The harrowing encounter unfolded just after 7 a.m. on Tuesday in Pima County, Arizona.
USBP attempted to stop a pickup truck suspected of involvement in human smuggling in the vicinity of Arivaca, a community just miles from the southern border.
However, the driver failed to yield and eventually bailed out of the vehicle, triggering a foot pursuit.
“The individual fired at an Air and Marine Operations helicopter and fired at USBP agents. Agents returned fire striking the driver,” the Department of Homeland Security explained in a statement.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) identified the male subject as 34-year-old Patrick Gary Schlegel, a resident of Sahuarita, Arizona.
An update to today’s officer-involved shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Pima County >> pic.twitter.com/8q0scCq9UN
— Pima County Sheriff's Department (@PimaSheriff) January 28, 2026
“The U.S. Marshals Service confirmed Mr. Schlegel was wanted in connection with a human smuggling investigation,” PCSD explained in a press release.
Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, and PCSD are investigating the incident.
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