An ICE agent injured a deputy U.S. marshal and a TikTok streamer during a crackdown in South Los Angeles that went awry Tuesday, raising new questions about federal tactics that have come under increasing scrutiny in Los Angeles and Chicago.
The incident occurred around 9 a.m. in a dense immigrant community where, according to Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, federal agents were conducting “a targeted traffic stop” of an undocumented immigrant who “had already escaped” and “attempted to evade arrest once again.”
During the stop, she said in a written statement, the illegal immigrant “armed his vehicle and began ramming the law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee.”
“Fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement, our officers followed their training and fired defensive shots,” she said.
Witnesses said a TikTok streamer known as Richard LA, who documented the ICE raids for his 130,000 followers, was struck. Another bullet appeared to ricochet and injure a deputy marshal. McLaughlin later confirmed that a law enforcement officer at the scene was hit in the hand by a ricochet and that the target of the operation was injured.
The incident risks fueling debate over the use of force by federal immigration agents when confronting suspects in cars.
In San Bernardino, federal agents shot at a vehicle in August during an immigration stop; they accused the occupants of ramming their vehicle and hitting officers. Charges were filed but the case was later dismissed. In Chicago, a woman was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent after she was accused of ramming their car. Her lawyers argued that video footage shows she was struck by officers, not the other way around.
Although Homeland Security officials said the decision to shoot at a suspect’s vehicle was consistent with their training, it differs from tactics used by some local police agencies.
Many law enforcement agencies, including the Chicago and San Francisco police departments, discourage their officers from shooting at a fleeing or charging vehicle if the suspect is not armed with a weapon other than the vehicle. These agencies recommend that officers retreat and find a better position because missed shots or ricochets could injure other officers and bystanders.
Two prominent Democratic congressmen announced this week that they would begin investigating possible misconduct by federal agents and asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for information on the training ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents receive on the use of force.
Richard’s lawyer, Carlos Jurado, who had not yet spoken to his client, said witnesses told him his client was not targeted by the operation and that he was outside recording when the incident occurred.
“During this process he was shot in one extremity, I don’t know where,” Jurado said. “Richard is a very pacifist man. He has received awards given to him by this city, by Los Angeles, for his work. A lot of police officers know him, they know he is a calm man.”
Jurado said it was his understanding that there was at least one prior meeting between his client and the Department of Homeland Security in June, but “there are no federal charges against him.”
“The family is hurt, they are afraid,” Jurado said. “He’s a hard-working man, has two children born in the United States, has no criminal record, has never been in trouble, goes out and does things he normally does and all of a sudden he gets hit by a bullet.”
Los Angeles firefighters transported two men to the hospital, a 43-year-old in fair condition and a 44-year-old in serious condition.
Neither suffered life-threatening injuries, a source said.
People watch the scene where a deputy U.S. marshal was injured in South Los Angeles.
(Ethan Swope / For Time)
As news of the operation gone wrong began to spread, McLaughlin and Acting U.S. Attorney. Bill Essayli released statements in response to the criticism.
“PSA: A vehicle is a deadly weapon. Its use against law enforcement justifies their use of deadly force in self-defense. If you want to challenge the actions of law enforcement, do so in a court of law, not on the street,” Essayli said in a post on X.
“These are the consequences of the conduct and rhetoric of politicians and sanctuary activists who urge illegal aliens to resist arrest,” McLaughlin said. “Resisting arrest endangers the safety of illegal aliens, law enforcement, and the public. »
But Los Angeles City Council member Curren Price, whose chief of staff recently awarded Richard a certificate of recognition for his streaming videos, called Richard on Facebook a pillar of the community “whose authentic storytelling has consistently elevated the unheard voices of South Central Los Angeles.”
“His unfiltered real-life portrayal has garnered a loyal following, both on TikTok and across our city. Richard LA exemplifies what it means to serve your community with courage and heart.”
The shooting happened less than a block from the Santee Education Complex, a high school. Hundreds of students were still in class and many neighbors were at home.
An hour after the incident, the crowd had gathered. At least one man was walking around with a bullhorn, complaining about the Los Angeles Police Department’s assistance to immigration authorities. At least one person passing by shouted “F— the police.”
Felipe Careces, a member of Service Employees International Union Local 721 and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, said he went there after receiving calls shortly after 9 a.m. about federal immigration agents spotted outside the school. Upon arrival, he also heard rumors that a TikTok user had been shot.
At one point, residents became angry and began swearing at a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent who was walking toward his vehicle.
“Get out,” a woman shouted.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are investigating the incident.
Times staff writer Libor Jany contributed to this report.
