by San Bernardino, CA – A weekend immigration enforcement operation in San Bernardino turned tense when federal agents fired at a vehicle, prompting protests and calls for accountability from local authorities.
Video Captures Incident
Footage recorded by the driver’s son, a U.S. citizen, shows federal agents ordering the occupants of a vehicle to lower their windows. When the driver refused and demanded identification, an agent broke the driver-side window and at least three shots were fired as the vehicle drove away, according to KTLA. No injuries were reported during the initial encounter.
Tensions Escalate at Driver’s Home
Hours later, police went to the driver’s home on Mountain View Drive, where federal agents and immigrant rights advocates had gathered. Protesters demanded ICE leave the neighborhood, criticizing the agency for protecting agents rather than residents. Community advocates voiced frustration over federal actions, saying they seemed to protect “bounty hunters and kidnappers” instead of the community.
Protests at Police Station
By Monday, protesters returned to the local police station, insisting that authorities be held accountable for the incident. Officials emphasized that officers at the scene were present solely to manage the crowd and were not participating in immigration enforcement.
Witness Accounts
Residents described the situation as chaotic and frightening. Some neighbors reported hearing about six gunshots, while employees in the area fled as law enforcement activity intensified.
Department of Homeland Security Statement
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that during the operation, CBP officers were injured when a subject refused to exit his vehicle and tried to run them down. In the course of the incident, the suspect drove at the officers, striking two CBP officers. One officer discharged a firearm in self-defense.
Legal and Community Support
Police confirmed the individual was briefly detained at his home but later released. The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, which has been assisting the family, said the man has no criminal record and was targeted without legal justification. The organization is providing legal support and closely monitoring federal actions.
