In a graphic video that has since gone viral on social media, about seven or more masked men wearing U.S. Border Patrol vests are seen taking part in a brutal beating of a Santa Ana father before forcing him into the back of an unmarked car on Saturday.
The violent incident sparked protests in the following hours, and an online fundraiser was started through GoFundMe, where family members identified the victim as Narciso Barranco, a father to three sons who are all U.S. Marines.
One of his sons, 25-year-old Alejandro Barranco, told KTLA that his father was pepper-sprayed in addition to repeatedly being punched in the face during his detention. According to Alejandro, Narciso was picked up by alleged federal immigration officers while he was working as a landscaper at the IHOP on Edinger Avenue and Ritchey Street.
The video shared by the Instagram account @SantaAnaProblems shows a group of men wearing hats and face coverings and police vests converge on Narciso, holding him down while one man repeatedly hits him on the head. Some men are standing guard around the scene before the group again seizes Narciso, with one man holding a baton at the back of Narciso’s neck to push him into the backseat of a silver SUV.
KTLA has reached out to city and state officials and is awaiting a response. A Santa Ana Police spokesperson said they are aware of the video circulating on social media, but had no further details. No local or federal officials have confirmed to KTLA whether the masked men were federal officers.
“He is a good, hard working man. He has raised his family here and has established himself here,” reads the GoFundMe page. “Please help the Barranco family with whatever you can to ensure he is able to receive the proper legal counsel to represent him.” As of Saturday evening, Alejandro was working on getting in contact with his father.
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