BREAKING: A shocking incident involving federal immigration agents unfolded in San Bernardino early Saturday morning, resulting in an officer-involved shooting. Just before 9 a.m., local police responded to reports of gunfire after immigration officers claimed they had fired at a vehicle during a targeted enforcement operation.
Witnesses reported a chaotic scene around Acacia Avenue and Baseline Street. A man, who remains unidentified, contacted the police dispatch, stating that masked individuals had attempted to pull him over, shattered his car windows, and opened fire on him. He expressed confusion over the attackers’ identities and urgently requested police assistance.
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) were conducting a law enforcement operation when the incident escalated. The DHS spokesperson revealed that officers sustained injuries after a driver allegedly attempted to run them down. In response, a CBP officer discharged his firearm in what was described as self-defense.
Disturbing footage shared by the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice captures part of the confrontation, showing agents wearing “police” vests and demanding that the driver roll down his window. The video features shattering glass and what sounds like gunfire, raising serious concerns about the use of deadly force by federal agents.
“This was a clear abuse of power,” stated the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, calling for an end to what they described as unjust harassment of civilians. The group condemned the shooting, emphasizing the need for accountability in such operations.
Following the incident, police located the vehicle in the 1000 block of Mt. View Drive. However, San Bernardino police reported uncertainty regarding the specific charges against the driver. Under the California Values Act, local law enforcement agencies are restricted from assisting with federal immigration enforcement, leading police to disengage from the situation as federal authorities took over.
In a contradictory statement, a DHS spokesperson mistakenly referred to the responding agency as the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and claimed the man was taken into custody before being released. This statement criticized California’s sanctuary policies for allegedly protecting criminals instead of communities.
As tensions escalated, federal officials called for police assistance around 1:12 p.m. due to a large crowd gathering around the arrest site. Authorities indicated that the man was wanted for allegedly assaulting a federal officer, prompting police to assist with crowd control.
The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice reported that federal agents did not present a warrant and remained outside the suspect’s home until 3:45 p.m., pressuring him to come outside. Reports also surfaced about two community members being detained using excessive force, including one individual detained for speaking out against the actions of the agents.
“The situation was not an immigration-related arrest, which is prohibited under California law,” clarified the San Bernardino Police Department, affirming their commitment to upholding state regulations.
Federal agents are currently investigating the shooting incident and the surrounding circumstances. The unfolding events have sparked outrage and calls for accountability, highlighting the delicate balance between law enforcement operations and community safety.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more details become available.