An off-duty agent from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fatally shot a neighbor who was armed and firing into the sky at a Los Angeles apartment complex late Wednesday night, according to authorities.

The incident unfolded at approximately 10:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve near Roscoe Boulevard and Louise Avenue in Northridge. The man, armed with a rifle, began shooting, which led the off-duty federal agent to step in, as reported by FOX 11 and confirmed by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

“It was like a lot of shots,” a local resident told FOX 11. “More than 10 shots, and it scared us. I initially thought it might be fireworks.”

FILE PHOTO: The intersection of Roscoe Boulevard and Louise Avenue in Los Angeles. (Google Maps)

The off-duty ICE agent, whose identity has not been made public, confronted the shooter before using his weapon. He then promptly contacted 911, as reported by the New York Post.

The gunman was pronounced dead at the scene, and the officer was not injured.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the off-duty officer’s actions as “brave,” saying he intervened to “protect his life and that of others.”

FILE PHOTO: An ICE agent is pictured on June 6, 2023, in New York City. (David Dee Delgado/Getty Images)

“On December 31st, an off-duty ICE Officer bravely responded to an active shooter situation at his apartment complex. In order to protect his life and that of others, he was forced to defensively use his weapon and exchanged gunfire with the shooter,” McLaughlin told Fox News Digital in an email. 

“Fortunately, our brave officer was not injured while protecting his community.”

The LAPD responded to the scene and is conducting an ongoing investigation into the shooting, McLaughlin said.

No additional injuries were reported.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the off-duty officer’s actions as “brave,” saying he intervened to “protect his life and that of others.” (Fox News)

The incident follows DHS’ recent announcement that ICE arrested some of the “worst of the worst” criminal illegal immigrants on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

“While families across the country joined together for Christmas celebrations, ICE continued delivering the American people the greatest gift of all: getting criminals out of our neighborhoods and protecting our families,” McLaughlin said in a statement.

The LAPD did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.