Arizona shooting: One person critical after ‘alleged assault’ of Federal agent near US-Mexico border

A person is in a critical condition after another US shooting involving a Federal agent, this time in Arizona.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department, which controls the Tucson area and parts of the US-Mexico border, confirmed the shooting, which occurred in Arivaca at around 7.30am.

When paramedics arrived at the scene, the person was reportedly in custody and in a critical condition. The person was taken by helicopter to a nearby trauma hospital.

The FBI, which is working with State authorities, called the incident “an alleged assault on a Federal officer”.

“We ask the community to remain patient and understanding as this investigation moves forward,” the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.

“PCSD will thoroughly examine all aspects of the incident, however, these investigations are complex and require time.”

Sheriff Chris Nanos is expected to share more details at 4pm local time.

The Arizona shooting is just the latest Federal incident after two people were killed by gunfire in the US.

In Minnesota, Alex Pretti, a nurse, was shot dead by Border Patrol agents. Just 17 days before that, Renee Nicole Good was shot dead by an ICE agent. Videos of both incidents have gone viral online as the US grapples with civilian deaths at the hands of the Trump administration.

US President Donald Trump has been met with fierce backlash over both incidents, with many labelling the shootings as cold-blooded murders.

On Monday, Mr Trump ordered border czar Tom Homan to take over his administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota, while also having a “good” call with Governor Tim Walz, who ran as the Democrat Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 2024 US election.

“Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota. It was a very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession.

“The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I!”

Melania Trump speaks out

First Lady Melania Trump issued a rare and impassioned plea on Tuesday, calling for unity.

“We need to unify,” the First Lady told Fox News.

“I’m calling for unity.

“I know my husband, the president, had a great call yesterday with the governor and the mayor, and they’re working together to make it peaceful and without riots.

“I’m against the violence. So if, please if you protest, protest in peace, and we need to unify in these times.”

More to come...