The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that federal agents shot a woman in the Chicago suburb of Broadview on Saturday morning. The incident occurred when agents found themselves boxed in by a group of vehicles during a patrol operation near an ICE facility that has been the focal point of ongoing protests and confrontations between law enforcement and demonstrators.
According to a statement from DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the agents were patrolling the west suburban area of Broadview when they were allegedly rammed by multiple vehicles. Reports indicate that the agents were surrounded by up to 10 cars, leaving them unable to maneuver their own vehicles. As tensions escalated, the agents exited their cars, leading to a critical moment when one of the drivers allegedly brandished a firearm—described by DHS as a semi-automatic weapon.
In the ensuing confrontation, the federal agents opened fire, striking the driver, who has since been identified as a woman. Following the incident, she was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment but has since been released. While DHS claims that the woman was mentioned in an intelligence bulletin from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for doxxing agents and making threats against ICE online, they have not disclosed her identity or provided any corroborating evidence for their assertion.
Remarkably, no agents were reported injured during this incident. However, DHS has criticized the Chicago Police Department for their lack of assistance, despite the fact that Broadview is outside their jurisdiction. As tensions rose with a growing crowd, DHS stated they were deploying special operations to manage the situation. Chicago police later responded to a report of a shooting at the 3900 block of South Kedzie, located in Brighton Park, which is several miles away from the actual shooting site in Broadview.
In a subsequent statement, DHS reiterated that Border Patrol officers were patrolling near the intersection of 39th Place and South Kedzie, further complicating the narrative of the incident. CBS News Chicago has reached out to DHS for clarification on the situation but has only received references to their initial statement. Meanwhile, Chicago police clarified their role, stating that they were only present to document the shooting and ensure public safety and traffic control, asserting they are not involved in the ongoing investigation.
The FBI has also weighed in on the incident, emphasizing their commitment to investigating violence against law enforcement officers and other related charges. In a social media post, they stated that they, along with federal law enforcement and prosecutorial partners, are actively pursuing investigations into the events surrounding immigration enforcement in Broadview. The FBI reiterated their dedication to maintaining safety in Chicago's neighborhoods.
CBS News Chicago has made attempts to contact the Broadview Police Department for additional details regarding the incident and is currently awaiting a response. As this situation develops, further updates are expected from federal authorities regarding the investigations into the shooting and the broader implications for law enforcement operations in the region.
