Tensions on the southern border of the United States have reached a new critical point on Tuesday. Just three days after the controversial deadly incident in Minneapolis that claimed the life of Alex Pretti, a new case of use of lethal force is reported: a person is between life and death after being shot by Border Patrol (CBP) agents in the state of Arizona.
This event once again sets off alarm bells about immigration agency protocols, an issue that has the Hispanic community across the country on edge.
Border Patrol shootings in Arizona
Univision Arizona is at the point in Arivaca where a shooting involving Border Patrol was reported this morning. We have all the information for you. https://t.co/RHkHsH4QNo pic.twitter.com/19HCHCjIU5YYY
– Univision Arizona (@UnivisionAZ) January 27, 2026
The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. (Arizona local time) in a rural area of southern Pima County.
This region is known to be a complex geographic corridor, with desert and mountainous areas that share an extensive border with Mexico, and is an area of high activity for both migratory crossings and federal surveillance operations.
According to the official report from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD), its officers responded to an emergency call involving the discharge of firearms by federal agents.
Upon arrival at the scene, they found one person with serious gunshot wounds.
Emergency response and official silence
🚨 Now in #ARIZONA: Border Patrol shootout leaves one INJURED in critical condition.
It happened in #Arivaca, near the border between #US and #Mexico, and the injured person is in critical condition, according to official information cited by @Reuters.
They haven’t yet… pic.twitter.com/CynLffTP6v
– Luis Alberto Medina (@elalbertomedina) January 27, 2026
The situation required an immediate high-level response.
The Santa Rita Fire District confirmed that the victim had to be stabilized at the scene due to the severity of his injuries, then rushed via helicopter to a Level 1 trauma center in Tucson, where he remains in critical condition.
So far, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has maintained almost total secrecy.
The nationality of the injured person has not been confirmed.
They have not clarified if the victim was carrying any type of weapon.
No federal agents were reported injured in the altercation.
The Sheriff’s Department has preliminarily categorized the injured man as a “suspect,” standard terminology in police investigations, but which does not shed light on the reason for the initial stop or, in and of itself, justify the use of lethal force.
A Scary Context: The Minneapolis Case
pic.twitter.com/UcD5zvsQ7w In this video, it appears that the victim’s gun had already been confiscated before the first shot was fired. The border patrol agent in the gray jacket and baseball cap removes the firearm and walks away from the scene.They executed him!
– Cesar Lopez (@Alcesarlosuyo) January 24, 2026
This shooting is not an isolated event; it occurs in a black week for the relationship between the community and the immigration authorities.
The country is still reeling from the death of Alex Pretti last Saturday in Minneapolis.
Pretti was killed by CBP officers allegedly while videotaping an operation, a right protected by the First Amendment as long as it does not physically interfere with police action.
The closeness of the two events – less than 96 hours apart – has generated a national debate about the oversight of border agents and the excessive use of force.
Useful Information: What should you know?
For the Hispanic community living or transiting near border areas (the so-called “100-mile Constitution zone”), it is vital to remember certain rights and realities updated to the context of 2025-2026:
Independent Investigations: In cases of shootings involving CBP, it is standard for the local law enforcement agency (in this case, the Pima Sheriff) and the FBI to lead the criminal investigation, not the Border Patrol itself. This seeks, in theory, fairness.
Use of Deadly Force: According to CBP use of force manuals, officers are only authorized to shoot if there is a “reasonable belief” that their life or the life of another person is in imminent danger of death or serious injury. Shooting someone just for fleeing is prohibited.
Right to Remain Silent: If you are involved in an investigation or are a witness, you have the right not to answer questions about your immigration status without an attorney present, regardless of what happened at the scene.
QuéOnnda will continue to monitor the health status of the injured person and the official response of the authorities in Washington, who face increasing pressure to make transparent the actions of their agents in the field.
Filed under: Border Patrol shootings in Arizona
