Following a shooting by federal agents at a vehicle during an immigration enforcement operation over the weekend, protesters took to the streets Monday demanding accountability from local authorities.
Video of the incident, captured by the driver’s son who is a U.S. citizen, shows federal agents ordering the occupants of a vehicle to lower their windows. When the driver refused and demanded identification from the officers, one agent shattered the driver-side window and at least three shots were fired as the vehicle drove off, according to footage obtained by KTLA.
The driver later called police, claiming masked men had pursued him and fired at his car. No one was injured in during the initial encounter.
Hours later, police went to the driver’s home on Mountain View Drive, where federal agents and immigrant rights advocates had gathered. Tensions escalated as protestors demanded ICE leave the neighborhood. “It doesn’t seem they’re protecting us,” said one community advocate. “It seems they’re protecting these bounty hunters and kidnappers.”
By Monday, protestors returned to the police station, insisting local authorities be held accountable.
Officials said officers were present solely to manage the crowd and were not participating in immigration enforcement.
Witnesses described the incident as chaotic and frightening. “Some of us counted about six gunshots,” said one neighbor. Employees in the area reported fleeing in panic as law enforcement activity intensified.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement, “During a targeted enforcement operation in San Bernardino, CBP officers were injured during a vehicle stop when a subject refused to exit his vehicle and tried to run them down. In the course of the incident, the suspect drove his car at the officers and struck two CBP officers with his vehicle. This forced a CBP officer to discharge his firearm in self-defense.”
Police confirmed the individual was briefly detained at his home but was later released.
The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, which has been assisting the family, said the man has no criminal record and was targeted without legal justification. The group said it is providing legal support and closely monitoring federal actions.
Carlos Saucedo contributed to this report.
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