Chicago police found themselves encircled by furious protestors against ICE, and it seems that federal agents, in a tense situation, were instructed by the patrol chief to refrain from seeking help.
On Saturday, a contingent of federal agents was conducting routine patrols on the city’s south side when they faced an aggressive assault from a vehicle, which ended up boxing them in with a total of ten cars, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
The agents had been patrolling about 15 miles away from ongoing demonstrations at an ICE processing center in the Broadview suburbs when they were ambushed.
As they tried to escape the ambush, a woman—later discovered to be armed with a semi-automatic weapon—attempted to pursue an officer, resulting in her being shot by police.
In a startling audio dispatch, it was revealed that local officers were initially prepared to assist the beleaguered agents but were told by their chief to hold back.
A female dispatcher, in a tense moment, reported a young man fleeing the scene after contributing to the chaos, stating, “He wanted a hit and run.” There was a bit of frantic energy in her voice.
After the vehicle involved in the incident crashed, she noted that the federal agents were forced off the roadway and the attackers fled on foot.
Shortly after, a male voice on the radio instructed the dispatcher to keep police units at a distance and await further orders. He later reiterated, “According to the patrol chief, we’ve cleared everyone and we’re not responding there.”
Fortunately, no federal agents were injured during these events. However, the armed woman was fatally shot as she tried to confront one of the agents, while another officer had to be taken to the hospital due to life-threatening injuries sustained during the chaos.
The dispatch further emphasized the unwillingness to send units to the scene, stating, “According to the patrol chief, they’ll clear all the units and send no one there.”
In response to the sirens in the background, an officer expressed their intent to exit the area as quickly as possible, facing significant hurdles to do so.
Internal communications from the Chicago police indicated a dramatic and surprising reversal of their initial response plans.
“The Patrol Chief… stated that there were no units available,” a dispatch message stated, noting a federal request for police assistance as they dealt with around 30 armed agents surrounded by hostile crowds.
The Chicago Police Department refuted these claims, asserting that their officers responded effectively to maintain public safety during the event.
In a formal statement, the department insisted, “CPD will always respond to threats against anyone, including federal immigration enforcement officers, and will assess the situation to determine the best course of action.”
In light of the attack, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem remarked that an officer had been ensnared by ten vehicles armed with semi-automatic weapons and vowed to bolster law enforcement resources in crime-stricken areas.
Reports indicate that protests had amassed near South Kezzy Avenue in response to the incident involving the armed woman.
This troubling incident escalated amid recent enforcement actions by ICE, part of Operation Midway Blitz, which has brought attention to the situation of undocumented individuals in Illinois, a state noted for its sanctuary policies.
The DHS highlighted that attacks on ICE agents by protesters appear to be becoming more commonplace in the Chicago region.
Ultimately, there were no injuries reported among the protestors. The armed woman was shot in what authorities deemed an act of defense by police.
More than a dozen arrests were made near the ICE facility over the weekend, according to reports.
The Chicago police had not responded to inquiries for further information regarding the incidents.
