A federal immigration officer fired gunshots at a vehicle fleeing a targeted immigration enforcement operation Saturday in San Bernardino, according to local and federal officials.
San Bernardino police responded at approximately 8:51 a.m. to the area of Acacia Avenue and Baseline Street after receiving reports of shots fired, according to the SBPD. Upon arrival, police officers encountered federal agents who said an agent-involved shooting had occurred and that the involved suspect had fled the scene in a vehicle.
A short time later, the man targeted in the immigration enforcement operation called the San Bernardino Police Department and reported that “masked men had tried to pull him over, broke his car window and shot at him,” according to a statement from the department. The suspect said he did not know who the men were and asked for assistance from the police.
“Officers were able to locate the vehicle in the 1000 block of Mt. View Drive and made contact with the suspect,” police said. “At that time, it was unclear what the suspect was wanted for. Under the California Values Act, California law enforcement agencies are prohibited from assisting federal officials with immigration enforcement, so our officers left the scene as the investigation was being conducted by federal authorities.”
Later that day at about 1:12 p.m., immigration agents requested police assistance after a large crowd formed as the agents attempted to arrest the suspect for allegedly assaulting a federal officer.
“Once it was determined that the subject was wanted for assaulting a federal officer, our officers responded back to assist when requested,” according to the SBPD. “San Bernardino Police officers provided support with crowd control.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees immigration enforcement agencies, released a statement following the activity in San Bernardino.
“During a targeted enforcement operation in San Bernardino, CBP officers were injured in a vehicle stop after a subject refused to exit his car and attempted to run them down with his car,” according to DHS.
“The suspect drove directly at the officers, striking two with his vehicle. In response to this violent act, a CBP officer was forced to discharge his firearm in self-defense. The subject then fled the scene.
“Later, the San Bernardino Police Department, who were contacted by a federal official assigned to the operation regarding the assault, located the suspect at a residence and briefly had him in custody-only to release him. The subject remains at large.
“This reckless decision came despite the subject’s outright refusal to comply and his wounding of two federal officers,” the statement concluded. “It is yet another tragic example of California’s pro-sanctuary policies that shield criminals instead of protecting communities.”
California law allows local law enforcement agencies to assist federal agents when officer or public safety is at risk.
“In this case, federal agents requested assistance during a lawful arrest for assaulting a federal officer when a crowd created a potential officer safety concern,” police said. “This was not an immigration-related arrest, which would be prohibited under California law.”
The FBI is investigating the officer-involved shooting, the SBPD reported.
