Man wounded in exchanging gunfire with US agents near Mexico border

A man who authorities say was involved in a human smuggling operation was shot on Tuesday in an exchange of gunfire with the US Border Patrol, and after firing at a federal helicopter near the US-Mexico border, authorities said. Federal agents were attempting to apprehend the 34-year-old Arizona man during a traffic stop near Arivaca, Arizona, when he fled and shot at a Border Patrol helicopter and at agents, authorities said. Agents returned fire, striking the man and wounding him, said Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI in Phoenix.

The suspect, Patrick Gary Schlegel, was transported to a hospital and was recovering from surgery Tuesday evening, authorities said. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said during a news conference that he believes the Border Patrol agent involved in the shooting “acted lawfully” based on what is known so far. “The investigation is still ongoing. There may be other things that show up,” Nanos said.

Prior to the shooting, agents had attempted to stop the same vehicle, but the occupants drove away, Nanos said. Later in the morning, a Border Patrol agent saw the vehicle in the same area and attempted to stop it, but the driver fled on foot. Schlegel was in federal custody and expected to be charged with assault on a federal officer, human smuggling and being a felon in possession of a firearm, Janke said. “Let me be clear, any assault on law enforcement officers will not be tolerated,” said Janke.

The US Department of Homeland Security said in a statement late Tuesday that it would provide more information when available.Schlegel has a criminal history that includes a December warrant for escape stemming from a human smuggling and firearms conviction, court records show. On December 15, Schlegel signed out of the institution in Tucson, where he had been incarcerated, to go to a counselling session but did not return, court records show. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaking at press conference with FBI special agent in charge Phoenix, Heith Janke.