A shooting involving a U.S. Border Patrol agent in Arivaca, Arizona, on Tuesday resulted in one person being seriously injured in what an FBI spokesman said was “an alleged attack on a federal officer.”
The incident happened around 7:30 a.m. near milepost 15, West Arivaca Road. The person, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital by the Santa Rita Fire Protection District in critical condition.
The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. near the U.S.-Mexico border near milepost 15 West Arivaca Road, and the victim was airlifted to a regional trauma center in critical condition.
The person is in custody and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department is working with the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection as the investigation continues, authorities said.
Details about how the shooting began and whether any federal officers were injured have not been released.
One person was shot and killed in an incident involving U.S. Border Patrol agents in southern Arizona on Tuesday morning, authorities said (Getty Images)
independent ICE, Border Patrol and the White House have been contacted for comment.
The shooting comes amid rising tensions across the country after two U.S. citizens were shot to death during a Border Patrol and ICE operation in Minneapolis.
This month, federal immigration officers in Minneapolis shot and killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Goode and Alex Pretty, in separate incidents, sparking mass protests and public outcry.
The killings have drawn national attention as protesters and legal observers face what they see as excessive law enforcement actions and as the Trump administration publicly defends the officers’ actions.
The incidents have prompted growing criticism of the Department of Homeland Security, including calls to fire Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Since September, federal immigration officials have shot and killed 12 people as the Department of Homeland Security expands deportations nationwide.
“I think she’s doing a very good job,” President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday afternoon when asked whether Noem would spark violence as protesters clashed with federal agents in Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, first lady Melania Trump called for unity and peaceful protests in Minneapolis during her morning appearance on “Fox & Friends” to promote her upcoming documentary Melania.
“I’m calling for unity. I know my husband, the president, had a great call yesterday with governors and mayors who are working together to keep things peaceful and free of riots. I’m against violence, so if you protest, please protest peacefully. This time we need unity,” Melania Trump said.
