In a troubling incident on Tuesday morning, a deputy U.S. marshal was injured by a ricochet bullet during an immigration enforcement operation in South Los Angeles. The event unfolded as agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to detain a suspect who had previously escaped custody. Sources from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the operation, provided insights into the incident.
The operation began when ICE agents, supported by U.S. marshals, conducted a targeted traffic stop on a suspect. According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the suspect “attempted to evade arrest yet again.” During the enforcement action, the suspect reportedly used his vehicle as a weapon, attempting to ram the law enforcement vehicle in a bid to escape. McLaughlin remarked, “Fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement, our officers followed their training and fired defensive shots.”
During this exchange, the suspect was shot in the elbow, while a deputy U.S. marshal sustained a hand injury from a ricochet bullet. Fortunately, both individuals are currently hospitalized but are expected to recover from their non-life-threatening injuries.
In a statement, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that their deputies were assisting with the arrest of a suspect wanted for illegal entry when the incident occurred. They reported that the deputy who was injured is in stable condition. McLaughlin pointed out the broader implications of the situation, stating, “These are the consequences of conduct and rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and activists who urge illegal aliens to resist arrest. Resisting arrest puts the safety of illegal aliens, law enforcement, and the public at risk.”
Boxing in vehicles is a well-known tactic used by law enforcement in Southern California to detain suspects. However, this method has sparked increasing controversy in light of recent immigration enforcement operations. There have been multiple instances where federal agents have faced violence during such stops. For example, in Chicago, a woman was shot at multiple times by a Border Patrol agent after allegedly ramming their vehicle, a claim her attorneys dispute, citing video evidence that suggests she was the victim, not the aggressor.
Similarly, in San Bernardino, federal agents fired into a vehicle during an immigration stop, claiming the occupants attempted to ram their vehicle. However, those charges were later dismissed, raising questions about the use of force in these operations.
The incident on East 20th Street drew a crowd of concerned residents, some of whom expressed their frustration with law enforcement's collaboration with immigration authorities. Many people gathered behind yellow police tape blocking access to the area, where tensions ran high. An individual with a bullhorn voiced opposition to the LAPD's involvement, while others shouted out their discontent towards the police presence.
Felipe Careces, a representative from the Service Employees International Union Local 721 and a member of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, arrived at the scene after receiving reports of federal agents in the area. Like many others, he was initially misled by rumors that a prominent TikTok user had been shot, rather than being aware of the actual situation involving a federal agent. As the day progressed, community members voiced their anger towards law enforcement, with one woman shouting, “Get the f— out,” directed at an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The incident is now under investigation by multiple agencies, including the Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, and the FBI. As the community grapples with the implications of this operation, the discussions surrounding immigration enforcement and law enforcement tactics continue to intensify.
