On Thursday morning an IRS agent was shot and killed during a training exercise at a Phoenix area federal gun range.
The FBI is handling the investigation of the agent’s death.
We are saddened over the death of the IRS agent who passed away today. Our condolences and prayers go out to their family, friends, and the law enforcement community. pic.twitter.com/yUkW0P7zjH
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) August 18, 2023
According to ABC 15, the FBI released the following statement:
“The FBI’s Phoenix field office is conducting an investigation surrounding the death of an IRS special agent today that occurred at the Federal Correctional Institution, Phoenix firing range.
While the firing range is on Bureau of Prisons grounds, an interagency agreement allows for other law enforcement agencies to use the facility for training purposes. Today, the IRS was at the range for routine training.
To preserve the integrity and capabilities of the investigation, details of the ongoing process will not be released. Findings of the FBI investigation will be turned over to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona for review.
The FBI’s investigation will be methodical and thorough to address every element of the incident.”
The Inflation Reduction Act included approximately $78 billion for the agency to hire roughly 87,000 employees by 2031.
According to the NRA, “a 2020 report by OpenTheBooks.com found the IRS has about 4,600 firearms. A further breakdown of that number reveals the IRS possessed 3,282 pistols, 621 shotguns, 539 rifles, four revolvers and 15 submachine guns. The IRS also had about 2,100 special agents that carry firearms.”