A federal agent discharged his weapon in Southern California on Wednesday after a suspected criminal from El Salvador allegedly used his vehicle as a weapon against law enforcement in an effort to escape arrest, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as reported by Fox News Digital.

The incident unfolded in Compton on Wednesday morning while DHS officers were executing a targeted operation to apprehend William Eduardo Moran Carballo. Carballo, described as a violent criminal involved in human smuggling, has a history of arrests related to domestic violence.

In a bid to avoid capture, Carballo reportedly turned his car into a weapon, colliding with law enforcement vehicles. Fearing for his safety, an agent responded by firing his weapon defensively, according to a DHS representative speaking to Fox News Digital.

Carballo was not struck by the gunfire and attempted to escape on foot. However, law enforcement successfully detained him without injury. A Customs and Border Protection officer sustained injuries during the incident, the spokesperson confirmed.

An official from DHS reiterated to Fox News Digital on January 21, 2026, that the suspect’s actions in Compton constituted a deliberate and dangerous attempt to resist arrest. (KTTV)

DHS also described the situation as “evolving” and said an immigration judge had issued Carballo a final order of removal in 2019. 

“These dangerous attempts to evade arrest have surged since sanctuary politicians, including Governor Newsom, have encouraged illegal aliens to evade arrest and provided guides advising illegal aliens how to recognize ICE, block entry, and defy arrest,” the DHS spokesperson said. “Our officers are now facing a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks.”

A vehicle is seen damaged following the reported incident during a DHS operation on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Compton, Calif.  (KTTV)

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department told Fox News Digital that it was aware of the incident, which happened in the 2400 block of 126th Street in unincorporated Los Angeles. 

A criminal illegal immigrant weaponized his vehicle against law enforcement, according to DHS.  (KTTV)

“At approximately 7:25 a.m. Century Station deputies were requested to provide outside perimeter traffic control. The Sheriff’s Department was not directly involved in the incident,” the department told Fox News Digital.