According to federal officials, two people — a Deputy U.S. marshal and the suspect — were injured Tuesday morning during an immigration enforcement operation in South Los Angeles.
Sources told news outlet CNN that the incident unfolded around 8:52 a.m. near 400 East 20th Street, just south of the 10 Freeway, as federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Marshals Service conducted a targeted enforcement stop.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the operation began when “ICE law enforcement officers, assisted by U.S. Marshals, pulled the illegal alien over in a standard law enforcement procedure.” Officials said the situation escalated when “the illegal alien weaponized his vehicle and began ramming the law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee.” DHS said that as officers attempted to stop the suspect “fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement, our officers followed their training and fired defensive shots.” The agency confirmed that “the illegal alien was shot in the elbow and one law enforcement officer was shot in the hand by a ricochet bullet. Both are in the hospital.”
A law enforcement source said that the ICE agent’s firearm discharged after the suspect rammed a vehicle used by the enforcement team. Investigators believe the shooting occurred as an officer smashed the suspect’s car window with their service weapon and tried to pull the driver out, causing the weapon to discharge and strike both the suspect and a deputy marshal.
The injured deputy marshal, who sustained a gunshot wound to the hand, was taken to a local hospital and is reported to be in stable condition with a non-life-threatening injury, according to the U.S. Marshals Central District of California. The suspect’s condition remains unclear as of Tuesday afternoon, though officials earlier described him as having been “gravely wounded.” DHS later confirmed that the man, described as an unauthorized immigrant who had “previously escaped from custody,” was taken back into custody following the incident.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that the shooting involved a federal agent and said the department is assisting in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have not released the suspect’s name or any additional details as the inquiry continues.
Editorial credit: Copyright Lawrey / Shutterstock.com
