Key Takeaways
- An attempted ICE arrest in a Baltimore suburb turned violent when a man allegedly drove into law enforcement vehicles, injuring two people.
- The incident occurred when ICE agents attempted to arrest two men from Portugal and El Salvador who were allegedly living in the US illegally.
- The driver of the vehicle did not cooperate with ICE agents and drove into several vehicles, prompting the agents to fire their service weapons in self-defense.
- The incident is the second of its kind in recent days, following a similar incident in Minnesota on Sunday where ICE agents fired shots at a Cuban man who resisted arrest.
- Local authorities and the Department of Homeland Security are investigating the incident and have warned against encouraging illegal aliens and violent agitators to resist ICE.
Introduction to the Incident
An attempted ICE arrest outside Baltimore turned violent after a man allegedly drove into law enforcement vehicles, resulting in two people being injured. According to US authorities, the incident occurred when ICE agents attempted to arrest two men from Portugal and El Salvador who were allegedly living in the US illegally. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that ICE agents had approached the vehicle and told the driver to turn off his engine, but the driver did not cooperate and instead drove into several ICE vehicles.
Details of the Incident
The DHS stated that officers approached the vehicle and told the driver to turn off his engine, but the driver did not comply and instead drove into several ICE vehicles. Fearing for their lives and public safety, the ICE officers defensively fired their service weapons, striking the driver. The driver then wrecked his van between two buildings, injuring the passenger. The two men later received medical attention, and no ICE agents were hurt during the incident. Local police confirmed to ABC News that ICE agents had approached a "white van" during an arrest on Wednesday and reported that the driver "attempted to run the agents over".
Reaction from Authorities
The ICE agents then fired at the vehicle, which accelerated before coming to a rest in a wooded area of residential Glen Burnie, Maryland. Maryland Governor Wes Moore wrote on X that he was "aware of the ICE-involved shooting", and his office would continue to share more information as the investigation unfolded. The DHS also released a statement on X, saying that "our brave officers are risking their lives every day to keep American communities safe by arresting and removing illegal aliens from our streets". The statement also warned that "continued efforts to encourage illegal aliens and violent agitators to actively resist ICE will only lead to more violent incidents, the extremist rhetoric must stop".
Similar Incident in Minnesota
The shooting follows a similar incident in Minnesota on Sunday, when ICE agents fired shots at a Cuban man who also resisted arrest and attempted to ram ICE vehicles. The man, who had entered the US on a discontinued asylum programme, was approached by ICE agents in the city of St Paul while in an SUV. The agents threatened to break his windows if he did not speak with them, prompting the man to drive away. During the incident, the man hit an ICE agent with his vehicle. The situation escalated when ICE agents pursued the man to his apartment building, where he later rammed an ICE vehicle with his SUV and hit a second agent. ICE agents fired several shots before arresting the man.
Investigation and Aftermath
The incident in Baltimore is currently being investigated by local authorities and the Department of Homeland Security. The DHS has warned against encouraging illegal aliens and violent agitators to resist ICE, stating that such actions will only lead to more violent incidents. The incident has also raised concerns about the safety of ICE agents and the use of force in immigration enforcement. As the investigation continues, more information is expected to be released about the incident and the actions of the ICE agents involved. The incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by ICE agents in enforcing immigration laws and the need for careful consideration of the use of force in such situations.
