On Saturday morning, San Bernardino police responded to what they termed an “officer-involved shooting” involving federal immigration officers. The incident occurred shortly before 9 a.m. at the intersection of Acacia Avenue and Baseline Street, where police officers encountered immigration agents who reported they had fired at a suspect who subsequently fled the scene.
Shortly thereafter, a man — whose identity remains undisclosed — contacted the dispatch center, alleging that masked individuals had attempted to pull him over, shattered his car window, and fired shots at him. The man expressed uncertainty about the assailants' identities and sought police assistance.
According to a statement released by the San Bernardino Police Department on Saturday night, a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that agents were conducting a targeted enforcement operation in the area. The spokesperson stated that “Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were injured during a vehicle stop when a subject refused to exit his vehicle and attempted to run them down.”
The statement further detailed that the suspect allegedly drove his vehicle at the officers, striking two CBP agents. Consequently, a CBP officer discharged his firearm “in self-defense.” In a news release from the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, it was reported that federal agents broke both the driver and passenger windows of the man’s vehicle and fired three shots. A video uploaded on Facebook by the coalition appeared to depict the incident, showing agents wearing “police” vests and demanding that the individuals inside the vehicle roll down their windows.
In the video, the driver responded, “No la voy a abrir” (I am not going to open it). Shortly after, the sound of shattering glass and multiple gunshots could be heard. The footage also displayed a man wearing a hat labeled with “CBP.” Although the video showed the vehicle departing after the windows were smashed, it did not capture the moment the driver allegedly struck the officers.
The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice condemned the actions of the federal agents, stating, “This was a clear abuse of power. Firing at civilians, harassing families without cause, and targeting community voices must stop.”
Later, the San Bernardino Police Department located the vehicle in the 1000 block of Mt. View Drive and established contact with the man. However, police officials reported that it was unclear what federal agents sought from him. Under the California Values Act, California law enforcement agencies are prohibited from aiding federal officials with immigration enforcement. Consequently, the police left the scene, allowing the investigation to proceed under federal jurisdiction.
A DHS spokesperson mistakenly referred to the police department as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department while claiming that local authorities had the man in custody but subsequently released him. The spokesperson criticized the decision, citing it as another instance of California’s “pro-sanctuary policies” that allegedly shield criminals rather than protect communities.
At approximately 1:12 p.m., federal officials requested assistance from the police department due to a growing crowd as they attempted to apprehend the suspect. During this time, federal agents informed the police that the man was wanted for allegedly assaulting a federal officer. The police department provided support for crowd control throughout the process.
The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice reported that federal agents did not present a warrant and remained outside the man’s home until 3:45 p.m., reportedly pressuring him to come outside. Additionally, the group claimed that two community members were detained using excessive force, including one individual who was apprehended for speaking out.
In response, the police department clarified that federal agents sought assistance during a lawful arrest for assaulting a federal officer, emphasizing that this was not an immigration-related arrest, which would be prohibited under California law. As of now, federal investigators are looking into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
