Border Patrol Agent Involved in Shooting Incident Near Arivaca, Arizona
A shooting incident involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent occurred early Tuesday morning in Arivaca, Arizona, near the U.S.-Mexico border. One individual sustained a gunshot wound, was transported to a regional trauma center in critical condition, and is currently in custody.
Multiple agencies, including the FBI and the Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD), are investigating the event.
Incident Details
The incident took place early Tuesday morning in Arivaca, Arizona. The community, home to approximately 600 residents, is situated about an hour south of Tucson and approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) from the U.S.-Mexico border. Emergency responders from the Santa Rita Fire District provided first aid at the scene, and the injured individual was subsequently transported via medical helicopter to a regional trauma center. The individual is reported to be in critical condition and has been taken into custody.
Investigation Underway
The FBI is investigating the incident, describing it as "an alleged assault on a federal officer" that resulted in "the subject [being] taken into custody."
The FBI Phoenix office requested the Pima County Sheriff's Department (PCSD) to lead the use-of-force investigation involving the Border Patrol agent. PCSD confirmed the shooting involved a Border Patrol agent and a suspect, and is also conducting a parallel criminal investigation. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos and the PCSD have asked the community for patience as the complex investigation proceeds. Authorities have not yet released information regarding the identity of the suspect.
Regional Context
The area near Arivaca is frequently used by individuals involved in drug smuggling and illegal border crossings, leading to regular patrols by agents. This event follows a month in which immigration officers involved in a Department of Homeland Security operation in Minnesota were involved in three separate shooting incidents, two of which were fatal.