Arizona: Who is behind Border Patrol Shooting in Pima County?
Who is Thomas Jacob Sanford? What to know about Michigan church shooting suspect. Photo credit: Getty Images
A person was seriously injured in a shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent early Tuesday morning in Pima County, Arizona, authorities said. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. on West Arivaca Road, approximately 10 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, according to the Santa Rita Fire District. Emergency responders provided first aid at the scene before the individual was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The current condition of the person has not been disclosed.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) described the event as “an alleged assault on a federal officer” and confirmed that the individual was taken into custody. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) is conducting a parallel use-of-force investigation involving the Border Patrol agent, at the request of federal authorities.
“We ask the community to remain patient and understanding as this investigation moves forward,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. The department will hold a news conference at 4 p.m. on Jan. 27 to provide additional updates.
Few details about the circumstances of the shooting have been released. PCSD noted that its investigation is part of a collaborative effort with federal agencies, with the sheriff’s office leading the review of the agent’s actions.
The location of the incident, Arivaca, is a rural ranching community near the border that has drawn national attention in recent years amid heightened immigration enforcement. Humanitarian groups operating in the area, which provide water and medical aid to migrants, have previously accused federal agents of entering camps without warrants and detaining individuals. In one December incident, three immigrants were taken into custody, prompting condemnation from Arizona Representative Adelita Grijalva, who noted the camp’s role in preventing deaths in the desert.
This shooting comes amid a period of scrutiny over federal immigration enforcement. Earlier this month, federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minnesota during raids and protests. On Jan. 7, Renee Good was killed in her car, and on Jan. 24, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU worker, was shot while filming agents. Authorities maintained both posed threats, though video evidence raised questions about those claims.
The investigation in Pima County remains ongoing, and authorities have urged the public to await official findings before drawing conclusions.
