LOS ANGELES — The FBI is currently offering a substantial reward of $50,000 as part of its investigation into an individual who allegedly fired a pistol at federal immigration agents during a protest on Thursday near Los Angeles. This announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the leading federal prosecutor for the Central District of California, based in Los Angeles.
The reward was unveiled late Thursday night, shortly after reports surfaced about the use of what appeared to be tear gas against protesters in the vicinity of Camarillo, located in Ventura County. U.S. Attorney Essayli shared footage from a helicopter, broadcast by ABC affiliate KABC in Los Angeles, which depicted a man wearing a black T-shirt pointing what seemed to be a handgun during the protest. This incident reportedly occurred around 2:26 p.m., and fortunately, there were no reports of injuries from gunfire.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Commissioner Rodney Scott, the location of the protest was a marijuana growing operation where authorities discovered 10 juveniles living in the country without proper authorization. Scott indicated that the farm is now under investigation for potential child labor violations.
Glass House Brands, a cannabis company operating in the area, confirmed that officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visited their farm on Thursday. The company stated that it fully complied with the search warrants issued by the agents and will provide additional updates if necessary. It's important to note that while cannabis is legal in California under state law, the enforcement of immigration laws remains a contentious issue.
California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, took to social media to share video footage showing the use of tear gas and children fleeing the scene. In response to a comment on social media platform X, Newsom condemned any assault on law enforcement, highlighting the delicate balance between public safety and immigration enforcement.
The recent federal immigration operations in the Los Angeles area have sparked significant outrage among local officials. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, also a Democrat, criticized the operations, suggesting they are driven by a political agenda aimed at instilling fear and panic within the community.
U.S. Representative Julia Brownley, whose district encompasses Camarillo, expressed her concern over the lack of transparency from ICE and the federal government regarding these operations. In a statement, she asserted that these militarized raids are not standard immigration enforcement actions but instead represent a "deliberate, disruptive, and ongoing campaign of cruelty" that threatens the community's stability. Brownley emphasized that ICE should focus on individuals who pose genuine threats to public safety rather than conducting broad sweeps that destabilize entire neighborhoods.
U.S. Attorney Essayli, who was appointed by President Donald Trump and sworn in on April 2, has previously criticized Los Angeles' sanctuary city policies, arguing that they hinder the enforcement of federal immigration laws. In light of these tensions, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the city on June 30 over its immigration policies.
Camarillo, with a population of approximately 70,000, is situated about 50 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and is renowned for its agricultural contributions. The ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement and local policies continues to stir significant discussions among community members and officials alike.
