IRS agent shot and killed during training exercise, agency says

An Internal Revenue Service agent was shot and killed Thursday during a training exercise in north Phoenix, The Associated Press reported.

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Update 8:42 p.m. EDT Aug. 18: The IRS identified the fallen agent as Special Agent Patrick Bauer, 47, according to KNXV.

Bauer is survived by his wife and four children. He has lived in Arizona for a long time, according to the news outlet. Bauer was also a Master Sergeant in the Arizona Air National Guard.

- Jessica Goodman, Cox Media Group National Content Desk

Original story: Charlotte M. Dennis, a spokesperson for the IRS’ Phoenix field office, told the AP that special agents were participating in a routine exercise at a firing range when the agent was shot.

The agent, whose name was not released, was transferred to an area hospital, where he died shortly after arriving.

Dennis declined to give further details.

The law enforcement branch of the IRS, known as the Criminal Investigation (CI) division, is the only IRS division that allows its employees to carry firearms.

According to the IRS website, IRS-CI investigates financial crimes, money laundering, tax-related identity theft and terrorist financing efforts.

The range where the agent was shot belongs to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. According to The Arizona Republic, an interagency agreement allows other law enforcement agencies to use the facility.

The FBI is investigating the incident.

“To preserve the integrity and capabilities of the investigation, details of the ongoing process will not be released,” the FBI said in a statement. “Findings of the FBI investigation will be turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona for review.”