Border Patrol agents shot at in Chicago during immigration operation, DHS claims
DHS: Border Patrol agents shot at in Little Village
Chaos erupting in Little Village today between Chicago police, protesters and immigration agents.
CHICAGO - Chaos erupted in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood late Saturday morning as federal immigration agents detained a person and reportedly used a flash bang as an angry crowd gathered, according to an alderman and video of the incident posted on social media.
What we know:
The incident happened near the intersection of 26th Street and Pulaski when agents appeared to detain at least one person.
The Department of Homeland Security told Fox News in a statement that U.S. Border Patrol was conducting "immigration enforcement operations" near 26th Street and Kedzie Avenue when an unknown male driving a black Jeep fired shots at agents and fled the scene.
DHS also claimed a number of "agitators" threw a paint can and bricks at Border Patrol vehicles.
The gunman remains at large, DHS said.
DHS said after the scene was cleared, a car tried to ram their convoy at Cermak and California, but was stopped by a controlled tire deflation device.Then, as the group was trying to continue toward an FBI facility, two drivers tried to "impede operations." According to DHS, agents warned the drivers to stop, but one driver attempted to ram the convoy and was arrested.
When Border Patrol left the FBI facility, DHS claims they found protesters lying on the ground near 26th Street and Pulaski. DHS says protesters refused to comply and began throwing things. Federal agents cleared the area and continued to a Sam's Club parking lot where DHS claims they were stalked and a car rammed a Border Patrol car.
Three people were arrested for assault, according to DHS.
Chicago Police said they responded to a call of shots fired at federal agents in the 2500 block of S. Kedzie. No one was struck by gunfire, according to police.
Chicago Ald. Michael Rodriguez (22nd Ward) said in a video posted on his Facebook page that agents were "causing all sorts of mayhem." He said agents used a flash bang against a gathered crowd.
"They’re doing things that are unconstitutional, that are illegal," Rodriguez said. "They are causing fear and mayhem in our communities and that's unacceptable."
A video posted on Instagram appeared to show federal agents arresting someone in front of the Los Comales restaurant in the 3100 block of 26th Street.
The incident happened in the Little Village neighborhood, which is known as a largely Mexican-American community.
Chicago police officers were also seen in the area, appearing to be helping with crowd control.
A Fox 32 camera also followed as large crowds appeared to surround federal agents for multiple blocks. Several Chicago police officers were also seen trying to control the crowds. At least one other person was seen handcuffed by CPD officers.
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) was also broadcasting live on social media near 26th Street and Sawyer Avenue as he appeared to confront immigration agents and questioned what they were doing in the community.