US Marshal and immigrant shot during ICE operation in South LA; DHS issues statement condemning 'sanctuary politicians'

A US Marshal and an undocumented immigrant were shot during a federal operation in South Los Angeles on Tuesday, reports Fox 11.

Both sustained injuries that are not considered life-threatening and were taken to the hospital for treatment.

The incident occurred around 8:50 am in the 400 block of E. 20th Street in the Historic South-Central neighbourhood. Federal agents had surrounded a vehicle containing the suspect. Sources told Fox News that officers opened fire when the suspect allegedly rammed federal vehicles in an attempt to escape.

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The marshal was reportedly shot in the finger while the suspect was hit in the left arm. The Los Angeles police department confirmed that none of its officers were involved in the shooting. Santee High School was temporarily placed on lockdown after shots were fired.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement describing the operation as a targeted enforcement traffic stop: "This is a developing situation and information is preliminary: During a targeted enforcement traffic stop in the Los Angeles area, an [undocumented immigrant]—who had previously escaped from custody—attempted to evade arrest yet again. ICE law enforcement officers, assisted by U.S. Marshals, pulled the [undocumented immigrant] over in a standard law enforcement procedure. The [undocumented immigrant] weaponized his vehicle and began ramming the law enforcement vehicle 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 [undocumented immigrant] was shot in the elbow and one law enforcement officer was shot in the hand by a ricochet bullet. Both are in the hospital."

The statement added, "These are the consequences of conduct and rhetoric by sanctuary politicians and activists who urge [undocumented immigrants] to resist arrest. Resisting arrest puts the safety of [undocumented immigrants], law enforcement, and the public at risk. Our law enforcement officers are facing a more than 1000% increase in assaults against them, including vehicle rammings by [undocumented immigrants]. 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."

The suspect's name has not been released, and the investigation is ongoing.