Additional Coverage:
- Arizona man accused of human smuggling shot by federal authorities after firing at helicopter, agents: FBI (foxnews.com)
Arizona Man Shot After Allegedly Firing on Federal Helicopter During Smuggling Pursuit
Arivaca, AZ – A dramatic pursuit near the U.S.-Mexico border on Tuesday morning culminated in federal officers shooting an Arizona man suspected of human smuggling, authorities confirmed. The suspect, identified as Patrick Gary Schlegel, 34, allegedly opened fire on a law enforcement helicopter and agents during the confrontation.
The incident unfolded around 7:30 a.m. near Arivaca, just miles from the southern border, when agents recognized a vehicle connected to a prior human trafficking incident. Hours earlier, during an initial traffic stop related to the suspected smuggling, everyone in the car had fled the scene, according to Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos.
When agents spotted the same vehicle again and initiated another traffic stop, Schlegel reportedly abandoned the car and fled on foot. Heith Janke, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix Division, stated that Schlegel then allegedly fired at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) helicopter and at agents pursuing him.
“The subject continued to flee on foot while being pursued by CBP agents who returned fire,” Janke said. “The subject was shot.”
Schlegel, a U.S. citizen from Arizona, received immediate medical attention and was transported to a hospital for surgery. He is expected to survive, and no other individuals were injured during the exchange.
Authorities revealed that Schlegel has a “significant criminal history,” including an active federal arrest warrant from the U.S. Marshals Service, issued in 2025, for an escape related to a previous federal alien smuggling conviction. He is anticipated to face federal charges for assault on a federal officer, alien smuggling, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Sheriff Nanos indicated he was unsure if the Border Patrol agents involved were equipped with body cameras or the exact number of shots fired. He emphasized, “In Pima County, we’re not tolerating any abuse of a law enforcement officer… any type of abuse, but that goes for our citizens as well.”
The Pima County Sheriff’s Department is conducting a parallel investigation into the incident, leading the use-of-force review, a standard practice for federal agency shootings within the county to ensure transparency.
This shooting marks the second involving Border Patrol personnel in recent days. Separately, Alex Pretti, 37, was fatally shot by USBP agents in Minnesota during enforcement operations.
Weeks prior, Renee Good was killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis after allegedly attempting to ram him with her vehicle.
Both incidents have sparked protests and unrest in Minneapolis.
Sheriff Nanos clarified that his department does not enforce immigration law. According to The Associated Press, Border Patrol agents have discharged their weapons in eight incidents during the 12-month period ending September 2025, following 14 incidents the year prior and 13 the year before that.