Chicago – During an immigration enforcement operation in the Little Village neighborhood, shots were reportedly fired at U.S. Border Patrol agents on Saturday afternoon.
The Department of Homeland Security claims the officers were conducting immigration activities near 26th Street and Kedzie Avenue when an unidentified man in a black Jeep opened fire on them before fleeing the scene.
DHS also reports that the crowd threw bricks and paint cans at the Border Patrol vehicles in the area.
Local police responded to the incident, searching the vicinity after receiving reports of shots fired. Officers secured the scene but there were no injuries reported among the federal agents.
However, a police officer sustained minor injuries after being accidentally struck by a GMC pickup truck driven by a 20-year-old woman. The officer was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition, and the driver received two citations.
Authorities have not yet located the suspect who fired on the investigators or the Jeep he was driving.
Residents in the area have voiced concerns about the actions of federal agents, stating they have been aggressive during recent operations. Aldo Byron Sigcho Lopez, from the 25th Ward, mentioned that he requested identification and a warrant after witnessing agents attempting to detain a man in his vehicle.
“When we got here, an 11-year-old girl was being dragged by masked individuals while neighbors tried to protect her,” he recounted. Sigcho Lopez also noted that witnesses claimed agents broke the windows of the vehicle involved.
“Look at what they’ve done to our community. This is sad and outrageous,” he added.
Nexstar’s WGN-TV has reached out to the DHS concerning the incident with the young girl but has yet to receive a response.
As federal agents departed, protesters focused their anger on the remaining Chicago police officers, shouting “shame” in their direction.
DHS issued a statement indicating that this incident isn’t isolated; it reflects a worrying trend of violence and disruptions. They pointed out that the last two months have seen an uptick in assaults and obstructions aimed at federal law enforcement personnel, emphasizing the risks faced by agents daily and the need for an end to such violence.
It’s been two months since the initiation of Operation Midway Blitz, and many residents are expressing their frustration.
“We’re calling for de-escalation. I live here; my daughter goes to school here. This is absurd. Enough is enough,” one protester commented.
The total number of detentions on Saturday remains unclear, and no further details have been released.
