A person is in critical condition after being shot during an encounter involving U.S. Border Patrol agents in southern Arizona. The incident came to light through NBC News, which reported that the injured individual is currently in custody and receiving medical care.
Officials said the shooting occurred in southern Pima County, about 10 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border near milepost 15 on West Arivaca Road. The person who was shot has not been publicly identified, and authorities have not reported any injuries to law enforcement officers.
The Santa Rita Fire District stated that the incident was reported at approximately 7:30 AM. Fire crews and American Medical Response provided initial treatment before the patient was flown by medical helicopter to a regional trauma center due to the severity of their condition.
Details remain limited as investigations begin
Because the shooting involved a federal agent, multiple agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding the encounter. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department confirmed it is assisting the FBI with the investigation in the Arivaca area, an unincorporated community roughly nine miles north of the border. This comes amid other scrutiny of Customs and Border Protection actions, such as recent reporting on a Chicago woman shot by a CBP agent.
An FBI spokesperson confirmed that the individual was taken into custody but declined to provide additional details, citing the ongoing investigation. The Sheriff’s Department is also conducting a parallel review focused on the use of force, noting that such investigations are standard procedure when a federal agent discharges a weapon in Pima County.
Authorities emphasized that use-of-force investigations often take time due to the number of agencies involved and the need to review physical evidence, witness statements, and any available video or audio recordings. Officials asked the public to remain patient as investigators work through the process and said additional information would be released when appropriate.
The incident has drawn attention in part because it adds to a growing number of high-profile encounters involving federal immigration authorities nationwide. There has been heightened political reaction, with Democratic lawmakers urging drastic policy changes after recent shootings, reflecting broader national debate over immigration enforcement.
No charges have been announced in connection with the Arizona shooting, and officials did not provide details about what led up to the encounter or whether body-worn cameras were involved. The condition of the person who was shot remains critical, and investigators have not provided a timeline for when their findings may be made public.
Published: Jan 27, 2026 06:30 pm