An ICE agent wounded a deputy U.S. marshal and a TikTok streamer in a South Los Angeles enforcement operation that went awry Tuesday, raising new questions about federal tactics that have faced growing scrutiny both in L.A. and Chicago.
The incident unfolded around 9 a.m. in a dense immigrant community where, according to Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, federal agents were carrying out “a targeted enforcement traffic stop” of an undocumented immigrant who “previously escaped from custody” and “attempted to evade arrest yet again.”
During the stop, she said in a written statement, the unauthorized immigrant “weaponized his vehicle and began ramming the law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee.”
“Fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement, our officers followed their training and fired defensive shots,” she said.
Witnesses said a TikTok streamer known as Richard LA, who has documented ICE raids for his 130,000 followers, was struck. Another bullet appeared to ricochet and wound a deputy marshal. McLaughlin later confirmed that a law enforcement officer at the scene was hit in the hand by a ricochet and that the target of the operation was wounded.
The incident is likely to increase debate about the use of force by federal immigration agents when they are confronted with suspects in cars.
In San Bernardino, federal agents shot into a vehicle in August during an immigration stop; they accused the occupants of ramming their vehicle and hitting agents. Charges were filed but the case was later dismissed. In Chicago, a woman was shot at five times by a Border Patrol agent after she was accused of ramming their car. Her attorneys have argued that video footage shows that she was rammed by agents, not the other way around.
Although Homeland Security officials said the decision to shoot at a suspect’s vehicle was consistent with their training, it differs from the tactics used by some local policing agencies.
Many law enforcement agencies — including the Chicago and San Francisco police departments — discourage their officers from shooting at a fleeing or charging vehicle if the suspect is not armed with a weapon other than the vehicle. Those agencies recommend officers retreat and find a better position, as missed shots or ricochets could hurt other officers and bystanders.
Two ranking Democratic Congress members this week announced they will begin to investigate potential misconduct by federal agents and asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for information regarding the training that ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents receive on use of force.
Richard’s attorney Carlos Jurado, who had not yet talked to his client, said witnesses told him his client wasn’t targeted in the operation and he was outside recording when the incident occurred.
“Somehow in that process, he was shot in some extremity, I’m not sure where,” Jurado said. “Richard is a very pacifist man. He has awards that have been given to him by this city, by Los Angeles, for his work. A lot of police officers know him, they know he’s a calm man.”
Jurado said his understanding is there has been at least one previous encounter between his client and the Department of Homeland Security in June, but “there’s no federal charges against him.”
“The family’s hurt, the family’s scared,” Jurado said. “This is a man who works hard, has two kids U.S. born, no criminal record whatsoever, never been in trouble and goes outside and does things that he does normally and all of a sudden he’s struck by a bullet.”
The Los Angeles Fire Department transported two men, a 43-year-old in fair condition and a 44-year-old in serious condition, to the hospital.
Neither suffered life-threatening injuries, a source said.
People watch at the scene of where a deputy U.S. marshal was wounded in South Los Angeles.
(Ethan Swope / For The Times)
As news began to spread of the operation gone awry, McLaughlin and acting U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli issued statements responding to critics.
“PSA: A vehicle is a deadly weapon. Using it against law enforcement justifies their use of deadly force in self-defense. If you wish to challenge law enforcement actions, do so in court, not on the streets,” Essayli said in a post on X.
“These are the consequences of conduct and rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and activists who urge illegal aliens to resist arrest,” McLaughlin said. “Resisting arrest puts the safety of illegal aliens, law enforcement and the public at risk.”
But L.A. Councilmember Curren Price, whose chief of staff recently awarded Richard a certificate of recognition for his streaming videos, on Facebook called Richard a pillar of the community “whose authentic storytelling has consistently uplifted the unheard voices of South Central Los Angeles.”
“His unfiltered portrayal of real life has fostered a loyal following, both on TikTok and throughout our City. Richard LA exemplifies what it means to serve your community with courage and heart.”
The shooting took place less than a block from Santee Education Complex, a high school. Hundreds of students were still in class and many neighbors were home.
An hour after the incident, crowds had gathered. At least one man walked around with a bullhorn, complaining about the Los Angeles Police Department assisting immigration authorities. At least one person driving by yelled out “F— the police.”
Felipe Careces, a member of Service Employees International Union Local 721 and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, said he responded to the location after receiving calls shortly after 9 a.m. about federal immigration agents spotted outside the school. When he arrived, he also heard rumors about a TikTok user being shot.
At one point, residents became angered and started cursing at an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives walking to his vehicle.
“Get the f— out,” a woman yelled.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations and the FBI are investigating the incident.
Times staff writer Libor Jany contributed to this report.