A Customs and Border Protection officer was injured when an illegal immigrant allegedly “weaponized” his vehicle as he tried to evade arrest, prompting federal agents to open fire in California Wednesday morning, DHS said.
US Department of Homeland Security agents were trying to arrest “a violent criminal illegal alien” from El Salvador in Compton around 7 a.m., when he “weaponized his vehicle and rammed law enforcement,” the agency said in a statement on X.
A federal agent was injured in LA after a wanted illegal immigrant weaponized his vehicle during a chase. Pedro Colo for NY Post
Agents were conducting an operation to apprehend an immigrant who a federal judge issued a final order of removal in 2019, officials said. AFP via Getty Images
A crowd gathered in the residential neighborhood following the crash. Pedro Colo for NY Post“Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired defensive shots,” the statement said.
The alleged migrant, William Eduardo Moran Carballo, was not hit. He then attempted to run away — but was caught by law enforcement, DHS said.
A CBP officer was wounded, DHS said, without providing details on the severity of his injuries.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department said the gunshots rang out during a car chase that ended in a crash on the 2400 block of 126th Street near Willowbrook after an immigration enforcement action.
The car in question, a silver sedan, could be seen in photos of the aftermath with a crumpled front end, its hood bent upwards, and the airbags deployed.
“It was [not immediately known] if the individual’s vehicle crashed into other vehicles, was struck by a Border Patrol vehicle or crashed into something,” the spokesperson told KTLA. “Sheriff’s deputies are not involved in the shooting [but they] are on scene maintaining a perimeter to keep the public away from the scene.”
Federal agents were “conducting a targeted operation” to arrest Carballo, who they alleged was involved in a human smuggling operation and has two prior arrests for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant.
An immigration judge had issued him a final order of removal in 2019, DHS said in its statement.
Federal agents were “conducting a targeted operation” to arrest Carballo. AFP via Getty Images
A resident confronts a federal agent as they investigate the scene. AFP via Getty Images“These dangerous attempts to evade arrest have surged since sanctuary politicians, including Governor Newsom, have encouraged illegal aliens to evade arrest and provided guides advising illegal aliens how to recognize ICE, block entry, and defy arrest,” DHS said, claiming, “Our officers are now facing a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks.”
A crowd gathered in the residential Willowbrook neighborhood following the crash.
“If you live on this block, lock your doors and don’t speak to any law enforcement,” a man who identified as Mexican-American told the group of onlookers.
Both border patrol and ICE agents were involved in the incident Wednesday morning. CBSA community activist and congressional candidate for California’s 41st district, Shonique Williams, said she arrived on the scene at about 10:30 a.m., after the car chase and subsequent arrest.
Williams said she went up to the masked border patrol agents and confronted one of them, asking, “as a black or a brown person, a person of color, are you proud of what you do?”
The agent responded with “I’m just a representative,” Williams told The Post.
