A U.S. Marshal and an illegal immigrant were shot during an immigration enforcement operation on Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security said.
Stressing that the incident is a “developing situation” and “information is preliminary,” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told NR the shooting happened during a targeted enforcement traffic stop in Los Angeles when an illegal immigrant, who had previously escaped from custody, attempted to evade arrest.
Federal agents surrounded and boxed in the illegal immigrant’s vehicle, at which point the driver allegedly drove into federal vehicles in an attempt to flee.
“Fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement, our officers followed their training and fired defensive shots. The illegal alien was shot in the elbow and one law enforcement officer was shot in the hand by a ricochet bullet. Both are in the hospital,” McLaughlin said.
“These are the consequences of conduct and rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and activists who urge illegal aliens to resist arrest,” she added. “Resisting arrest puts the safety of illegal aliens, law enforcement, and the public at risk.”
DHS noted law enforcement officers are facing a more than 1,000 percent increase in assaults, including vehicle rammings.
“We are once again calling on sanctuary politicians, agitators, and the media to turn the temperature down and stop calling for violence and resistance against ICE law enforcement,” McLaughlin said.