Authorities say suspect, who escaped from facility in 2024, ran from traffic stop and fired shots at helicopter
A shooting involving a border patrol agent near the US-Mexico border in Arizona has left an accused smuggler in critical condition, local authorities said Tuesday.
Border patrol agents attempted to stop a car at about 7am, Pima county sheriff Chris Nanos said at a press conference. Several people exited the car and ran off, and the vehicle drove away, Nanos said. About half an hour later, agents relocated the car and attempted to stop it again. The driver fled on foot, and a border agent chased after him.
As the suspect fled, he fired shots at an occupied helicopter, according to Heith Janke, FBI Phoenix special agent in charge. The agent, whose name has not been disclosed, gave chase and fired at the suspect, whom Janke identified as Patrick Gary Schlegel, 34.
The Santa Rita fire district responded to the shooting and transported Schlegel to a regional trauma center, the district said in a statement. Nanos described his condition as “serious but stable”.
