Little Village, Chicago shooting: Shots fired at Border Patrol agents during immigration operation near 26th and Kedzie, DHS says

CHICAGO (WLS) — Someone fired shots at Customs and Border Patrol agents on Chicago’s Southwest Side, the Department of Homeland Security said. A responding Chicago police officer was injured during the incident, officials said.

The incident happened as federal agents launched several operations Saturday in the Little Village neighborhood as part of Operation Midway Blitz, leading to very tense moments between agents and community members and business owners. Immigrant activists say they believe six people were detained.

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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.

SEE ALSO | Chicago federal intervention: Tracking surge in immigration enforcement operations | Live updates

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.

CPD officials confirmed to ABC7 that Chicago police officers responded to the scene for a report of shots fired, and “there are no reports of anyone struck by gunfire.”

Moments later, a Chicago police officer who had been called to the intersection for crowd control was hit by a vehicle, another officer at the scene told ABC7.

CPD officials later also confirmed an officer who was conducting traffic control was accidentally struck by a GMC pick-up truck driven by a 20-year-old female. The CPD officer had minor injuries and was taken to hospital in good condition. The driver was given two citations and detectives are investigating.

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.”

Also Saturday morning, Surveillance video from the Carniceria y Taqueria Aguascalientes in Little Village shows Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino walking into the store with masked federal agents.

“All you want to do is protect everyone who’s in here. And you almost feel like for instance for me I feel helpless,” Macias said.

Michelle Macias said Saturday was the second time federal agents have come to Carniceria y Taqueria Aguascalientes in recent weeks. Macias says agents came to buy a drink and were denied service.

“There were about 10 agents that walked in here. And our cashier that was working in the morning she told them you need to get out,” Macias said. “When Bovino was outside, my dad was telling him, ‘Get off my property.'”

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. ABC7 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.”

The National Lawyers Guild Chicago issued the following statement Saturday evening:
“Today, community members across Cook County monitored and protested the Trump administration’s assault on migrant communities. The Chicago chapter of the National Lawyers Guild deployed Legal Observers to monitor federal and local police activity in the city and at the protest outside the Broadview Detention Center. Volunteer attorneys with the NLG were also dispatched to protect the rights of people taken into custody.

“During ICE and CBP’s activity in Little Village and Cicero, agents used excessive force and chemical agents against community members. Trump’s federal agents turned what would have been a quiet Saturday afternoon on the Southwest side of Chicago into a dangerous and unsafe environment due to their repeated and unnecessary escalations.

“At least nine people were taken into federal custody, and all but one of them is expected to be released this evening. The final person will be taken to court on Monday. Chicago police were deployed in response to the growing numbers of people in the street following ICE’s rampage in Little Village, with CPD ultimately arresting at least four community members. NLG Chicago has confirmed that two of these people will be released, with two others being held for court hearings tomorrow. Earlier in the day, two additional people were arrested while protesting outside the Broadview Detention Center and both have been released.

“NLG Chicago will continue to support the people who remain in custody and work with partners to ensure all those detained are released as quickly as possible.”

The Department of Homeland Security released the following statement Sunday afternoon:
“Yesterday around 9:30 AM, in the Chicago neighborhood of Little Village, U.S. Border Patrol was attacked while conducting immigration enforcement operations. Border Patrol was accosted by a hostile crowd that boxed them into a street and alleyway. As they were apprehending a subject, agents came under direct gunfire when a male driving a black Jeep Wrangler fired multiple rounds. He immediately fled the scene.

“Attackers then began throwing bricks and even a paint cans from a roof, damaging Border Patrol vehicles. Chicago Police Department successfully helped law enforcement evacuate the area as more bricks were thrown at the law enforcements’ vehicle. Fortunately, no Border Patrol agents were injured in this attack.

“After clearing the scene of the first attack, Border Patrol then encountered a vehicle that attempted to ram their convoy at the intersection of Cermak and California, but was thwarted when a Controlled Tire Deflation Device was deployed. The Border Patrol convoy then proceeded toward an FBI facility and encountered two drivers trying to impede operations. After they were warned to stop, one of the drivers attempted to ram the convoy. The driver was arrested. Border Patrol reached the FBI facility when rioters attempted to breach security there. Chicago Police responded to help secure the perimeter.

“Border Patrol then left the FBI facility and then encountered protesters lying in the street near 26th and Pulaski. As the rioters refused to comply with basic instructions and began throwing objects, Border Patrol deployed crowd control measures, cleared the area, and proceeded to a Sam’s Club parking lot. Individuals stalked and followed the convoy into the parking lot and a vehicle rammed a Border Patrol’s vehicle. Three suspects were immediately arrested for assault.

“After departing the parking lot, the law enforcement convoy was again attacked resulting in a broken window. The convoy became stuck at 26th and Kostner and sustained window damage along with a fourth vehicle ramming. The subject fled the scene and Border Patrol pursued. This driver remains at large.

“As a result of yesterday’s multiple attacks-fueled by sanctuary politicians and the media-Border Patrol arrested 8 U.S. citizens and one illegal alien. Thankfully, no Border Patrol agents were injured during these multiple attacks.

“‘JB Pritzker and Brandon Johnson have fueled an environment of lawlessness and assault on federal law enforcement,’ said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. ‘In less than three hours in Chicago, Border Patrol faced gunshots, violent mobs at every stop, bricks and other objects thrown at them, and four vehicle rammings. The violence in Chicago against law enforcement is unprecedented-These attacks are the consequence of vitriolic smears from sanctuary politicians and the media. Just last week, Chicago and national media falsely accused law enforcement of raiding a daycare center. Now, they are silent when our agents come under gunfire.

“‘Make no mistake: Our mission will continue despite the violence. To any Antifa terrorist in Chicago: You will not stop us. You will not slow us down. And if you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will face the consequences.'”

President Donald Trump ordered in September to designate a decentralized movement known as antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.

Short for “anti-fascists,” antifa is not a single organization but rather an umbrella term for far-left-leaning militant groups that confront or resist neo-Nazis and white supremacists at demonstrations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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