FBI: Man Shot by Border Patrol Fired at Helicopter

Authorities say a man suspected of involvement in a human smuggling operation was shot Tuesday during a confrontation with U.S. Border Patrol agents near the U.S.-Mexico border in southern Arizona.

Federal agents attempted to stop a vehicle near Arivaca, Arizona, to apprehend the 34-year-old Arizona man when he fled, according to authorities. During the incident, the suspect allegedly fired at a Border Patrol helicopter and at agents on the ground. FBI Special Agent Heith Janke said agents returned fire, striking and wounding the suspect, according to the Associated Press.

The suspect, identified as Patrick Gary Schlegel, was taken to a hospital where he was recovering from surgery Tuesday evening. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said during a news conference that, based on information available so far, he believes the Border Patrol agent involved in the shooting acted lawfully.

Sheriff Nanos said agents had attempted to stop the same vehicle earlier, but its occupants drove away. Later that morning, a Border Patrol agent spotted the vehicle again in the same area and attempted another stop. By that time, Schlegel was the only person inside the vehicle and fled on foot. “Shots were fired from the suspect, and the agent returned fire,” Nanos said. “The suspect was hit.”

Schlegel remains in federal custody and is expected to face charges including assault on a federal officer, alien smuggling, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Janke said.

NBC News reported that federal court records show Schlegel pleaded guilty in 2024 to transporting illegal aliens for profit and to a firearms charge. He was sentenced to 36 months in prison and is alleged to have escaped custody last month. Court records indicate he left a facility for individuals pending release on Dec. 15 to attend alcohol counseling and did not return.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department said the FBI requested that it lead the use-of-force investigation involving the Border Patrol. Officials noted that such investigations are routine when a federal agency is involved in a shooting within the county.

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