FBI Probes Alleged Assault on Federal Officer After Arivaca Border Patrol Shooting That Critically Wounded Suspect
An early‑morning shooting just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday near milepost 15 on West Arivaca Road — about 25 miles from the U.S.–Mexico border and 20 miles from Arivaca — left one person critically wounded who was taken into custody, treated on scene by Santa Rita Fire District and American Medical Response crews, and airlifted to a regional level‑one trauma center. The FBI said it is investigating an alleged assault on a federal officer in connection with the shooting, and the Pima County Sheriff’s Office is working jointly with the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection; CBP and Border Patrol had not immediately commented.
📌 Key Facts
- The shooting occurred near milepost 15 on West Arivaca Road, about 25 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border and 20 miles from Arivaca.
- The incident took place just after 7:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
- Santa Rita Fire District and American Medical Response crews found one patient in custody, treated the person on scene, and arranged an airlift by medical helicopter to a regional level‑one trauma center; the patient was in critical condition.
- The FBI confirmed it is investigating "an alleged assault on a federal officer" in connection with the shooting; the Pima County Sheriff's Office said it is working jointly with the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the inquiry.
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection/Border Patrol had not provided a public comment at the time of reporting.
- Reporters placed the Arizona shooting in broader context, noting prior Border Patrol shootings in the same region (2003 and 2023) and linking the case to heightened national scrutiny of immigration‑enforcement shootings, including multiple recent incidents elsewhere this month.
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 27, 2026
9:19 PM
Person in critical condition after shooting involving Border Patrol near U.S.-Mexico border
New information:
- FBI confirms it is investigating an alleged assault on a federal officer near Arivaca, Arizona, in connection with the shooting.
- Santa Rita Fire District reports the wounded person was in custody, was treated on scene, and then airlifted by medical helicopter to a regional level‑one trauma center in critical condition.
- Pima County Sheriff's Department told the Arizona Daily Star the incident involved a Border Patrol agent and a suspect, and that it is working jointly with federal authorities.
- Article notes this is the third shooting — two of them fatal — by immigration officers this month amid the large DHS enforcement operation in Minnesota, linking the Arizona case to a broader national pattern of scrutiny over immigration‑enforcement shootings.
8:45 PM
Border Patrol involved in shooting in Arizona; person in critical condition
New information:
- FBI spokesperson confirms the bureau is investigating "an alleged assault on a federal officer" near Arivaca in connection with the shooting.
- Article specifies the shooting time as just after 7:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
- CBS/KOLD reports the wounded person is in critical condition and has been taken into custody.
8:10 PM
One Person Is Wounded in Shooting Involving U.S. Border Patrol in Arizona
New information:
- Confirms the shooting occurred near milepost 15 on West Arivaca Road, about 25 miles from the border and 20 miles from Arivaca.
- Specifies that Santa Rita Fire District and American Medical Response crews found "one patient in custody" in critical condition and arranged an airlift to a regional trauma center.
- Pima County Sheriff’s Office states it is working jointly with the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection on the investigation.
- Notes that CBP and Border Patrol had not yet provided public comment at the time of reporting and recalls prior Border Patrol shootings in the same region in 2003 and 2023 for context.