Man wounded after exchanging gunfire with Border Patrol agents near U.S.-Mexico border

A man was shot by Border Patrol after exchanging gunfire during a human smuggling operation near the U.S.-Mexico border.

A man who authorities say was involved in a human smuggling operation was shot on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) in an exchange of gunfire with the U.S. Border Patrol, and after firing at a federal helicopter near the U.S.-Mexico border, authorities said.

Federal agents were attempting to apprehend the 34-year-old Arizona man during a traffic stop near Arivaca, Arizona, when he fled and shot at a Border Patrol helicopter and at agents, authorities said. Agents returned fire, striking the man and wounding him, said Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI in Phoenix.

The suspect, Patrick Gary Schlegel, was transported to a hospital and was recovering from surgery Tuesday (January 27, 2026) evening, authorities said. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said during a news conference that he believes the Border Patrol agent involved in the shooting “acted lawfully" based on what is known so far.

“The investigation is still ongoing. There may be other things that show up,” Mr. Nanos said.

Prior to the shooting, agents had attempted to stop the same vehicle, but the occupants drove away, Mr. Nanos said. Later in the morning, a Border Patrol agent saw the vehicle in the same area and attempted to stop it, but the driver fled on foot.

Schlegel was in federal custody and expected to be charged with assault on a federal officer, human smuggling and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Mr. Janke said.