Federal agents fire on vehicle during Calif. standoff, DHS confirms
Share this @internewscast.com


A Saturday morning confrontation between federal immigration agents and a local family in San Bernardino escalated into gunfire and a seven-hour standoff before ending without arrests, according to both advocates and police.

The incident began at about 8:40 a.m. on Aug. 16, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stopped a man near 1030 N. Mountain View Avenue, according to the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice. The advocacy group said the agents, who did not present a warrant, fired three times at the man’s vehicle before he returned home with his family and called 911.

San Bernardino police confirmed in a statement that officers were dispatched at 8:51 a.m. following reports of shots fired near Acacia Avenue and Baseline Street. When officers arrived, they encountered federal agents who told them they had been involved in an officer-involved shooting and that the suspect had fled.

Shortly after, the man contacted police dispatchers himself, saying “masked men” had broken his car window and fired at him, according to the statement. The man, who said he did not know the agents’ identities, requested police assistance. Officers later located him on Mountain View Drive but did not intervene further, citing the California Values Act, which prohibits local law enforcement from assisting with immigration enforcement.

By around 11 a.m., Homeland Security Investigations agents arrived at the residence. Advocates said the family remained inside as multiple police and federal vehicles surrounded the home, and they expressed fear after their car had been struck by gunfire. The Inland Coalition alleged the man had no criminal record and was targeted without legal justification.

San Bernardino police said they were asked to return at about 1:12 p.m. after a crowd began forming around the residence. At that time, federal agents told officers the man was wanted for allegedly assaulting a federal officer, which criminalizes forcibly resisting or impeding federal officers. Police said they provided only “crowd control support” as federal agents attempted to make the arrest.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said two Customs and Border Protection officers were injured during the encounter when the suspect refused to exit his vehicle and drove toward the officers.

“Because of the subject forcing a CBP officer to discharge his firearm in self-defense, the subject escaped the scene,” the spokesperson said. “After the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department located the subject at a residence and briefly had him in custody, he was set free. This decision was made despite the subject refusing to comply and wounding two officers another example of California’s pro-sanctuary policies in action.”

Agents left around 3:45 p.m. without detaining the man, ending the standoff.

Federal investigators are now reviewing the circumstances surrounding the officer-involved shooting, according to police.

The Inland Coalition said it is mobilizing to provide the family with legal support.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Ongoing Search for Missing 60-Year-Old Man in Orange County, Missing for 11 Days

Michael Barnes last seen on Aug. 8 Michael Barnes, 60 (Orange County…

Halifax Humane Terminates Agreement with Volusia County for Handling Stray and Dangerous Animals

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Halifax Humane Society is terminating its agreement with…

Massive Waves from Hurricane Erin Could Isolate North Carolina’s Outer Banks

There’s a well-known T-shirt on Hatteras Island in the North Carolina Outer…

Republicans Under Scrutiny in California’s Redistricting Proposal

Democrats have proposed a new congressional map for California that could offset Republican efforts…

DOJ Probes Potential Manipulation of Decreasing DC Crime Statistics

The Justice Department is currently examining whether officials within the Metropolitan Police…

Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley Aims for Impressive Rushing Stats in 2025

GIBSON CITY, Ill. (WCIA) — After concluding a 10-3 season with a…

Former Coach from Prestigious Gymnastics Academy Arrested by FBI Following Abuse Allegations

Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that…

Texas House Set to Vote on New Redistricting Plan as Protests Continue

The long battle over Texas’ congressional map may reach a resolution on…

Islanders on a Contested Territory between Colombia and Peru Seek Assurance from Their Government

SANTA ROSA – Situated on a remote island in the Amazon River,…

Map: The Tax Bite on a $643M Powerball Jackpot—How Much Would You Actually Keep?

(NEXSTAR) — The Powerball jackpot has increased once more. With no winner…

“Bulloch Chairman Addresses Public Concerns During GBI Investigation”

A Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) investigation concerning the Bulloch County Board…

New Group of Osaka Orphans Arrives in Hawaii, Continuing Cherished Tradition

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Today, Aug. 18, Hawaii welcomed four orphaned children from…