IRS Special Agent Killed During Gun Training in Phoenix

An IRS special agent is dead after he was accidentally shot by another agent during a training exercise at a correctional facility gun range in Phoenix, Ariz.

According to KTAR News, the FBI Phoenix field office is investigating the incident, which happened Thursday afternoon at the firing range of the Federal Correctional Institution.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) spokesperson Aimee Arthur-Wastell told The Arizona Republic that the range was being used by multiple federal agencies at the time of the shooting.

The agent was at the firing range for “routine training” when they were shot, the FBI said.

The IRS confirmed to ABC15 that the agent was taken to the hospital after the incident and did not survive.

“The agent was immediately taken to HonorHealth Deer Valley Medical Center to be treated for the injury,” the IRS said in a statement. “The agent passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital. The incident is under investigation.”

“Our concern today is for the agent and their family,” it added.

The agent’s identity has not yet been released and it is unknown if anyone is in custody.

The FBI said in a statement that it will not be releasing details “to preserve the integrity and capabilities of the investigation” and said its findings “will be turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona for review.”

According to the IRS, special agents are the only IRS personnel who are allowed to carry guns and conduct criminal investigations.

No FBOP or firing range employees were injured, according to Arthur-Wastell.