A man was critically injured Tuesday morning near Arivaca after an exchange of gunfire with U.S. Border Patrol agents, an incident authorities say began with a suspected human-smuggling investigation and later sparked a protest in Tucson.

Agents were attempting to stop a pickup truck near Arivaca, about 10 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, shortly after 7 a.m., Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

“They had believed that this individual was involved in human trafficking from an earlier incident,” Nanos said.

The person failed to pull over, eventually exited the vehicle and fled on foot. Authorities said the man fired shots at a Border Patrol helicopter, and an agent fired back.

“That agent acted lawfully,” Nanos said. “That's our belief based on what we know today, right at this moment.”

The man was airlifted to Banner – University Medical Center Tucson and was in serious but stable condition Tuesday afternoon.

“The investigation is still ongoing. There may be other things that show up,” Nanos said.

Hours after the shooting, the Tucson branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation organized a protest outside Banner – University Medical Center Tucson.

Dozens of Tucsonans gathered Tuesday evening outside the hospital, banging drums and holding signs with phrases such as “Turn up the heat; De-ICE the streets,” “Defend Democracy” and “We have whistles, they have guns.”

Multiple fatal shootings involving federal immigration agents in recent months have drawn national attention, including the deaths of Keith Porter in Los Angeles and Minneapolis residents Renée Good and Alex Pretti.

Tuesday's shooting comes as operations scale up across the country, including Tucson. On Friday, ICE agents conducted an enforcement stop near Drachman Montessori Magnet School that led to the detention of three family members who were reportedly seeking asylum.

The situation drew criticism from local lawmakers and residents, including Arizona Rep. Alma Hernandez, who said the family had proper documentation and was told ICE agents were positioned in front of a school that had children playing on the playground.

Tucson Unified School District officials said agents did not enter the campus and that students outside were brought indoors as a precaution.

City Councilmember Lane Santa Cruz shared a video on Instagram Tuesday saying that a city employee was stopped by ICE agents Friday while leaving a south side convenience store. Santa Cruz shared footage of the encounter, calling the situation an incident of racial profiling that was "deeply disturbing."

"The only thing that prompted the ICE agent to leave the city employee alone is when they saw the city of Tucson logo on the car," Santa Cruz said. "I am enraged by the acts of this rogue agency and what gives me hope rigt now is seeing the mass demonstrations by community members in Minneapolis and Tucson responding to this moment and peacefully protesting."

Santa Cruz encouraged her followers to continue to safely document immigration enforcement, as long as it does not put them at risk, and to send photos and videos to Attorney General Kris Mayes’ Office, which is collecting evidence of misconduct by federal agents.

PSL Tucson is hosting a rally Friday at 2 p.m. at the Federal Building in downtown Tucson as part of the national day of action.

Emma Diaz is a University of Arizona alum and freelance journalist based in Tucson.

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