Arizona Border Patrol shooting: One critical, FBI opens assault probe

Authorities in Pima County, Arizona, are conducting a parallel investigation alongside federal agencies after a U.S. Border Patrol agent was involved in a shooting near the southern border on January 27, 2026. The incident occurred near Arivaca, a remote community approximately 10 miles north of the United States–Mexico border, and resulted in one person being critically injured. The Federal Bureau of Investigation stated it is leading an inquiry into an alleged assault on a federal officer in the area and has taken one subject into custody. The individual’s identity has not yet been disclosed.

Emergency responders from the Santa Rita Fire District and American Medical Response provided medical attention at the scene before transferring the injured person to a hospital in critical condition. As of this writing, the nature of the suspect’s injuries, the sequence of events that led to the shooting, and the identities of any additional parties involved remain undisclosed by federal or local agencies.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Division confirmed that it would carry out a concurrent investigation into the use of force by the Border Patrol agent, following a formal request from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Sheriff Chris Nanos emphasized that these investigations are complex and time-intensive, and he appealed to the public to remain patient as authorities continue to gather and assess evidence.

What is the role of Pima County authorities and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this type of incident?

Under United States law, incidents involving the use of force by federal law enforcement officers—including Border Patrol agents—fall under the investigative purview of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, particularly when the incident involves an alleged assault on a federal officer. However, in many jurisdictions, county-level law enforcement agencies also maintain a concurrent investigative role, particularly concerning law enforcement accountability, public safety, and local community relations.

In this case, Pima County’s law enforcement officials are conducting a parallel inquiry in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States Customs and Border Protection. The sheriff’s office confirmed that it had been asked to lead the use-of-force inquiry, a process that typically involves reviewing body camera footage (if available), conducting interviews with witnesses and involved personnel, and assessing whether federal guidelines and protocols were followed.

Arizona’s Pima County borders Mexico and has long served as a focal point for border enforcement operations due to its proximity to high-traffic migrant routes. The area around Arivaca, in particular, has seen frequent crossings by migrants and has also witnessed prior conflicts between federal authorities and migrant aid groups.

What prior incidents and policy backdrop are influencing public scrutiny of border enforcement?

This incident follows recent fatal encounters involving federal immigration officers elsewhere in the United States. On January 24, 2026, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse, was shot multiple times by federal immigration agents in Minnesota. That incident occurred less than a month after another high-profile shooting involving federal agents in which Renee Good, also 37, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Both cases have drawn national scrutiny and sparked protests across multiple cities, including Minneapolis.

The political climate around federal immigration enforcement has grown increasingly tense following the inauguration of President Donald Trump for a second term in January 2025. The administration has pledged an aggressive expansion of deportation operations, resulting in an increased federal law enforcement presence in urban and border regions. Images of heavily armed, masked federal agents—often outfitted in tactical gear—have circulated widely in public discourse and drawn criticism from civil rights organizations, immigration advocates, and some municipal governments.

Public sentiment has been further inflamed by reports of raids, detentions, and the use of force in residential neighborhoods. In the Arizona incident, it remains unclear whether the person who was shot was a United States citizen, migrant, or subject of a pre-existing federal warrant. CNN reported, citing a federal law enforcement source, that the injured person had exchanged gunfire with federal agents and had fired at a United States government helicopter during the pursuit.

Why is the Arivaca region a recurring flashpoint in border enforcement operations?

Arivaca lies within one of the most heavily patrolled sectors of the United States–Mexico border and is under the jurisdiction of the Tucson Sector of United States Customs and Border Protection. Over the past decade, the region has become a focal point in debates about immigration enforcement, humanitarian aid, and federal oversight.

Several prior incidents in Arivaca have involved both federal agents and volunteers from migrant support organizations, some of whom operate water and food drop stations for individuals crossing the desert. These activities have at times brought nonprofit workers and federal authorities into conflict, with arrests and charges filed in the past against individuals accused of aiding unauthorized migrants.

The rugged geography and harsh desert conditions in the region have contributed to high rates of migrant fatalities. This has led to contentious public debates between border enforcement agencies advocating for deterrence and public safety, and humanitarian groups citing moral and legal obligations to prevent deaths in the desert. As such, any use-of-force incident in Arivaca—particularly involving gunfire and critical injuries—is likely to receive heightened scrutiny from both federal oversight bodies and civil society organizations.

What institutional responses have been issued and what happens next in the investigation?

As of January 28, 2026, the Federal Bureau of Investigation had not released additional details beyond confirming the investigation of an alleged assault on a federal officer. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department also declined to release further specifics about the individual taken into custody or the nature of the events that led to the shooting.

Federal agencies, including United States Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security, have not yet provided formal public statements beyond what was disclosed through law enforcement coordination channels. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and there were no updates available regarding whether the injured person had been charged with a crime or was receiving legal counsel.

Given that the event involves a federal law enforcement officer discharging a weapon in the course of duty, a formal use-of-force review is expected to be conducted under federal law enforcement protocols. If policy violations or criminal conduct are suspected, the case could be referred for further administrative review or potential prosecution. Otherwise, the findings would typically inform internal reviews, accountability proceedings, or departmental reforms, depending on the outcome.

Local leaders in Pima County reiterated that all evidence would be thoroughly examined and that the public would be informed of developments as the situation progressed.

How does the Arivaca shooting deepen scrutiny of U.S. immigration enforcement and federal agent oversight?

• A United States Border Patrol agent was involved in a shooting on January 27, 2026, near Arivaca, Arizona, resulting in one individual being critically injured and placed in custody.

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating the incident as an alleged assault on a federal officer, while the Pima County Sheriff’s Department is leading a parallel use-of-force inquiry.

• Emergency responders from the Santa Rita Fire District and American Medical Response treated the wounded individual before transferring them to hospital; the person’s identity has not been released.

• The shooting occurred amid broader controversy surrounding federal immigration enforcement following recent fatal encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minnesota.

• Arivaca, a known hotspot for migrant crossings and humanitarian group activity, has previously seen tension between federal agents and local advocacy organizations, raising stakes around accountability.