India, Jan. 29 -- A man who authorities say was involved in a human smuggling operation was shot on Tuesday in an exchange of gunfire with the US Border Patrol, and after firing at a federal helicopter near the US-Mexico border, authorities said. Federal agents were attempting to apprehend the 34-year-old Arizona man during a traffic stop near Arivaca, Arizona, when he fled and shot at a Border Patrol helicopter and at agents, authorities said. Agents returned fire, striking the man and wounding him, said Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI in Phoenix.

The suspect, Patrick Gary Schlegel, was transported to a hospital and was recovering from surgery Tuesday evening, authorities said. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said during...