Federal authorities say a man shot by Border Patrol in southern Arizona was a convicted human trafficker with an active escape warrant. Investigators allege he fled a traffic stop and fired at a Border Patrol helicopter before agents returned fire. The suspect survived and is recovering as federal and county agencies review the incident.
Convicted human smuggler who skipped jail was shot by Border Patrol near the AZ border after fleeing a stop and allegedly firing at a federal helicopter. Authorities say agents acted lawfully; suspect is hospitalized. #BreakingNews #Arizona #FAFO #BorderPatrol pic.twitter.com/YYAj4luDpT
— Matthew Brady (@mattbrady775) January 28, 2026
- A 34-year-old Arizona man, Patrick Gary Schlegel, was shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents during an attempted apprehension near Arivaca.
- Authorities say Schlegel fled a traffic stop, crashed his truck, ran on foot, threw rocks, and allegedly fired at a Border Patrol helicopter and agents.
- Agents returned fire, striking Schlegel; he was hospitalized and recovering from surgery.
- Schlegel had an outstanding warrant for escape after failing to return from a counseling appointment in December.
- Court records show a 2023 conviction for human smuggling and firearms offenses, involving more than a dozen people hidden in a truck.
- FBI Phoenix and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department are investigating; the sheriff said the agent appeared to act lawfully based on current information.
