URGENT UPDATE: A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fired three shots early Thursday morning at a vehicle in Black Forest, Colorado, approximately 30 minutes north of Colorado Springs. This dramatic incident unfolded during an enforcement operation when the suspects attempted to drive their vehicle into the officers.
According to an ICE spokesperson, the agent’s actions were a direct response to the suspects’ dangerous behavior. “As a result of their violent actions and to protect the officers and agents onsite, an officer fired three shots into the vehicle,” the spokesperson stated. Following the shooting, the suspects fled the scene and later abandoned their vehicle. Law enforcement officials are actively searching for the two fugitives still at large.
The situation escalated quickly, with a significant law enforcement presence in Black Forest. Authorities deployed armored vehicles, helicopters, and drones in the search efforts, alongside agents from the FBI, ICE, and deputies from the El Paso County Sheriff’s office. A KRCC reporter observed an abandoned truck being towed out of a ditch, although it remains unclear if this vehicle was connected to the shooting incident.
The shooting prompted a closure of Burgess Road near the intersection of Green Tree, which lasted for approximately five hours. Armed agents conducted searches in nearby fields and private properties. By Thursday evening, a previously announced shelter-in-place order was lifted, although it is still unknown if any arrests have been made.
Activists also responded to the situation, gathering near a law enforcement staging area in hopes of obtaining more information. Genevieve Richard, a representative from the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression, expressed skepticism about the official narratives, stating, “We know that ICE is going to put up their own presentation on this, and the feds are going to put up their own presentation on this. We view anything they say with a great deal of skepticism, so we’re just trying to find out all we can.”
The ICE spokesperson pointed to an alarming trend, citing an increase in assaults on officers, which they attribute to “lies and violent rhetoric” surrounding immigration enforcement.
As the search for the suspects continues, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant. This developing story highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and raises questions about safety and community relations.
Stay tuned for further updates as this situation unfolds.