‘Fearing for his own life, the officer fired his weapon,’ said DHS.
An illegal immigrant who was sought by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents was shot and killed after dragging the official after refusing to stop his vehicle, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement Friday.
The individual, Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, refused to follow ICE officials’ commands when he was stopped in the Chicago area before he drove his vehicle at the agents, DHS said. One of the officers was hit by the vehicle and was “dragged a significant distance.”
“Fearing for his own life, the officer fired his weapon,” DHS said.
The officer suffered several injuries and is in stable condition, according to the department. Villegas-Gonzalez, who DHS said had a “history of reckless driving” and a criminal record, was pronounced dead at the scene, the statement added.
A top Homeland Security official suggested that Villegas-Gonzalez may have been influenced by activists on social media encouraging illegal immigrants to resist law enforcement.
“We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer. He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement,” Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in the statement. “Viral social media videos and activists encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement not only spread misinformation, but also undermine public safety, as well as the safety of our officers and those being apprehended.”
DHS did not say what Villegas-Gonzalez’s nationality was, and it stated it was unclear when he illegally entered the United States. Other information about the incident or the individual was not provided.
The incident drew a response from Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat who is opposed to the Trump administration’s efforts in Chicago.
“I am aware of the troubling incident that has unfolded in Franklin Park,” he wrote on social media. “This is a developing situation and the people of Illinois deserve a full, factual accounting of what’s happened today to ensure transparency and accountability.”
DHS announced on Monday that ICE launched a crackdown in Chicago against illegal immigration this week, calling it “Operation Midway Blitz.”
“No city is a safe haven for criminal illegal aliens,” McLaughlin said. “If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will hunt you down, arrest you, deport you, and you will never return.”
