LOS ANGELES: A federal agent fired at a moving car during an immigration stop, the Department of Homeland Security said.
The driver refused to lower his window and sped off in San Bernardino County. According to DHS, the car struck two U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents as it fled. One agent fired in self-defense, DHS said. The shots hit no one.
Targeted Operation, Few Details Released
DHS said agents conducted a “targeted enforcement operation” during the stop. However, officials did not say why they targeted the unidentified man. The incident occurred just before 9 a.m., east of Los Angeles. Additionally, DHS did not describe how the vehicle struck the agents.
Family and Advocate Provide Account
Javier Hernandez spoke with the driver’s family after the stop. He leads the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice. He shared their account and cited a video recorded inside the car. The 18-year-old son and 23-year-old son-in-law filmed part of the encounter.
Identity and Legal Status
Hernandez withheld the 43-year-old driver’s name. DHS also did not identify him. Hernandez said the man is from Mexico and lacks legal status. He added that both relatives in the car are U.S. citizens.
Officials have not said whether the agents sustained injuries. They also have not detailed where the car struck them.
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