Little Village, Chicago shooting: Shots fired at Border Patrol agents during immigration operation near 26th and Kedzie, DHS says
Someone fired shots at Customs and Border Patrol agents in Chicago, the Department of Homeland Security said. A responding Chicago police officer was injured during the incident, according to another CPD officer at the scene.
The incident happened as federal agents launched several operations Saturday in the Little Village neighborhood as part of Operation Midway Blitz, possibly detaining at least two people.
In a statement posted to X, DHS said agents were conducting operations near 26th Street and Kedzie Avenue in the Little Village neighborhood when the shooting happened.
An angry crowd gathered after federal officer allegedly detained a young woman near 26th and Kedzie.
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino was there. He could be seen in cellphone video with an apparent tear gas canister in his hand.
Residents demanded the detained woman's release while in pursuit of their caravan.
During the incident, DHS says an unknown male, who was driving a black Jeep, fired shots at agents and fled the scene. DHS also said "an unknown number of agitators" threw a paint can and bricks at Border Patrol vehicles.
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Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez says cellphone video recorded by a resident shows something different.
"It's very clear. They came out of the vehicles pointing their weapons and they used tear gas on people," Sigcho-Lopez said.
Moments later, a Chicago police officer who had been called to the intersection for crowd control was hit by a car, another officer at the scene told our Chicago sister station, WLS. He was taken to the hospital. CPD has not updated his condition.
CPD officials confirmed to WLS, police officers responded to the scene for a report of shots fired, and "there are no reports of anyone struck by gunfire."
More chaos ensued when CBP agents appeared to use tear gas as they took another person into custody near 26th and Pulaksi, all under the watchful eye of the agency's helicopter.
"It's just been terrible to see what ICE is doing to our communities," resident Hubertine Henzler said. 'We're scared for our neighbors. We're scared for our friends."
Saturday afternoon, warning whistles and vehicle horns once again blared as neighbors say federal agents attempted, unsuccessfully, to detain a man and his 11-year-old niece near 25th and Sawyers.
Tensions flared after CPD was once again called for crowd control when federal agents left after claiming a vehicle rammed their SUV.
It's unclear where those who were detained were taken or if they were charged with any crime. WLS has reached out to DHS for comment.
SEE ALSO | ICE agent charged with driving under influence in Oak Brook crash after leaving Broadview facility
The person who allegedly fired shots at agents remains at large, DHS said.
DHS added, "This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of violence and obstruction. Over the past two months, we've seen an increase in assaults and obstruction targeting federal law enforcement during operations. These confrontations highlight the dangers our agents face daily and the escalating aggression toward law enforcement. The violence must end."
Further information was not immediately available.
This is a developing story. Check back with ABC7 for updates.
