Emiliano Garduno-Galvez, an undocumented immigrant from Mexico, is facing serious charges after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at police during a protest against ICE in Los Angeles last weekend. This isn’t his first encounter with the law; he had previously been deported from the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Garduno-Galvez now faces attempted murder charges, which were brought to light following his identification by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday.
Disturbing footage released by ICE shows Garduno-Galvez alongside others, concealing themselves behind a tree. He can be seen manipulating a lighter, seemingly testing its functionality, with a Molotov cocktail resting at his feet.
During the incident, police were attempting to disperse the crowd when, according to ICE, Garduno-Galvez directed explosives at them.
DHS Deputy Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized on Wednesday that the protesters are, in essence, protecting individuals like Garduno-Galvez. She further asserted, “The disturbances in Los Angeles won’t deter us. If you assault a law enforcement officer, you will face severe consequences.”
Prior to this event, Garduno-Galvez had a record that included arrests for DUI in Long Beach and grand theft in Anaheim last year. Despite his criminal history, local authorities did not manage to detain him after his earlier arrests.
Tensions escalated on Friday as protests erupted against ICE after immigration agents conducted operations at various workplaces, detaining undocumented immigrants. Demonstrators retaliated by throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at both federal agents and local police.
The protests quickly turned chaotic. Rioters set vehicles ablaze, blocked highways, and vandalized storefronts, marking a significant shift from the initial anti-ICE demonstration.
