A federal agent discharged their weapon during a law enforcement operation in Willowbrook, California, early Wednesday, triggering a substantial response from both local and federal authorities.
The incident involved the U.S. Border Patrol or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), according to a representative from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. The shooting occurred near the intersection of 126th Street and Mona Boulevard.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported that the Border Patrol notified them shortly after 7 a.m. about an ongoing operation in the area. The shooting ensued shortly thereafter.
In a statement to ABC’s Los Angeles affiliate KABC, DHS revealed the operation initially commenced in nearby Compton. The aim was to apprehend William Eduardo Moran Carballo, described as a violent illegal immigrant from El Salvador involved in human smuggling. Carballo has two previous arrests for causing corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant.
DHS noted that an immigration judge had ordered Carballo’s removal in 2019.
According to the DHS statement, Carballo attempted to escape arrest by using his vehicle as a weapon to ram law enforcement officers. Fearing for his safety, an agent fired shots defensively. Although Carballo was not struck, he tried to flee on foot but was eventually captured by law enforcement. While Carballo was unharmed, a Customs and Border Protection officer sustained injuries during the incident.
Details of the officers injury were not provided.
Along with several federal agents in tactical gear, sheriff’s deputies, California Highway Patrol officers responded to the scene.
“This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming,” DHS said.
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