Violence is far too common in America’s cities these days. And it’s getting more dangerous by the day.
Now an ICE ambush in this major U.S. city claimed an officer’s life.
Federal authorities reported that a U.S. Marshal and a suspect were shot during an immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles on Tuesday, escalating tensions amid ongoing criticism of immigration raids in the region.
Incident Details and Injuries
During a targeted enforcement traffic stop, federal agents surrounded a vehicle driven by Carlitos Ricardo Parias, 44, of Mexico, identified by Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli as an illegal immigrant who had previously escaped custody. According to sources within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Parias allegedly rammed federal vehicles in an attempt to evade arrest.
“During a targeted enforcement traffic stop in the Los Angeles area, an illegal alien who had previously escaped from custody attempted to evade arrest yet again,” a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) statement to Fox News Digital said.
Federal agents opened fire, striking Parias in the elbow and a U.S. Marshal in the hand, likely by a bullet ricochet, sources said. Both were taken to a hospital and are expected to survive. The FBI is investigating the shooting, and Parias faces charges of assault on a federal officer, with an initial court appearance scheduled for Wednesday at the Roybal Federal Building.
Suspect’s Actions and Legal Response
Essayli alleged that Parias used a Toyota Camry to strike law enforcement vehicles, spinning his tires and fishtailing in an attempt to escape, raising concerns for officer safety.
“Vehicles are deadly weapons,” Essayli wrote on X. “Anyone who uses them against federal agents risks arrest, imprisonment, and life-threatening injuries. We will continue to use every tool in our legal arsenal to protect our agents and enforce immigration laws passed by Congress.” The incident has spotlighted the dangers faced by federal agents during enforcement operations.
Local Opposition and Political Context
The shooting occurred amid heightened local opposition to the Trump administration’s immigration raids. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called for a congressional investigation into the alleged unlawful detention of U.S. citizens and immigrants, citing around 170 detentions of U.S. citizens nationwide.
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared a state of emergency last week, stating that the raids have caused fear and forced businesses to close. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin attributed a “more than 1000% increase in assaults against [ICE agents], including vehicle rammings by illegal aliens,” to rhetoric from sanctuary jurisdiction officials.
“These are the consequences of conduct and rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and activists who urge illegal aliens to resist arrest,” she said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
McLaughlin criticized officials, including Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom, for providing resources to defy ICE. U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., demanded records related to the detentions.
A September U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowed the raids to resume, with DHS stating, “This decision is a victory for the safety of Americans in California and for the rule of law.” Protesters were reported shouting at hospital staff as the injured Marshal and Parias were treated, reflecting the charged atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement in Los Angeles.
