DHS Reports Gunfire Directed at Border Patrol Agents in Chicago

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CHICAGO (WGN) – Reports of gunfire targeted U.S. Border Patrol agents during an immigration operation in Little Village on Saturday afternoon.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, the incident took place as agents were executing immigration enforcement near the intersection of 26th Street and Kedzie Avenue. An unidentified individual driving a black Jeep allegedly fired shots at the agents before speeding away.

DHS also reported that a group of individuals hurled a paint can and bricks at the Border Patrol vehicle during the incident.

In response, the Chicago Police Department was summoned to assist and subsequently secured the area.

In related news, the U.S. State Department has revoked 80,000 nonimmigrant visas.

One police officer, however, was accidentally hit by a GMC pickup truck driven by a 20-year-old woman. The officer suffered minor injuries and was taken to an area hospital in good condition, while the woman was issued two citations, according to CPD.

The suspect who reportedly fired shots at the agents and the Jeep he was driving have not been found.

Those who live in the area, however, are accusing federal agents of being aggressive.

Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th Ward) said he asked agents for warrants and identification after hearing they tried to detain a man in a vehicle.

“When we arrived here, there was an 11-year-old little girl dragged by these masked individuals and the neighbors are trying to surround to make sure that they didn’t take her,” he said.

Sigcho-Lopez added that witnesses told him agents broke the window of a car.

“Look at what they’ve done to our community. Since 10 a.m. then and this is sadness. This is outrageous,” he said.

affiliate WGN-TV has reached out to DHS on the incident involving an 11-year-old girl and is awaiting a response.

Once federal agents cleared the area, protesters turned their attention to the remaining CPD officer conducting crowd control, yelling “shame” in their direction.

“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,” DHS said.

It’s been two months since the Trump administration launched Operation Midway Blitz. Those who live in the area said they’ve had enough.

“I’m asking them to de-escalate. I live here. My daughter goes to school here. We went shopping. We’re trying to go shopping. I went to Walgreens. Ridiculous, it’s enough already. This needs to stop,” one protester said.

It’s unclear how many people were detained Saturday.

No other information was released.