A dramatic series of events in Pennsylvania unfolded Wednesday as an illegal immigrant, with a history of criminal activity, including a hit-and-run, evaded authorities. This individual, identified as Clemente Lara-Hernandez, reportedly rammed his vehicle into a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) car, leading a federal agent to discharge his weapon in response, according to official reports.
The confrontation occurred around 6:15 a.m. in Harrisburg when ICE officers attempted to detain Lara-Hernandez, a Mexican national. Resistant to their efforts, he allegedly escalated the situation, ICE representatives disclosed to News Media.
In a perilous move, Lara-Hernandez, as the agency describes, “weaponized his car,” aggressively crashing into an ICE vehicle amid the tense encounter.
His criminal past is extensive, including charges of assault, previous hit-and-run incidents, and involvement in a domestic incident. Despite these charges, he remains at large following the incident where, on Wednesday, he allegedly struck an ICE vehicle, inciting an officer to fire shots. (Getty Images, Department of Homeland Security)
According to an ICE spokesperson, Lara-Hernandez’s reckless escape continued as he sped dangerously in the wrong direction down a one-way street, culminating in a collision with a civilian vehicle.
An ICE agent fired his weapon and another sustained a cut to the hand, authorities said. No one appeared to have been struck. Lara-Hernandez remains at large.
An ICE agent fired his weapon and another sustained a cut to the hand, authorities said. (The Orange County Register/ZUMApress.com, File)
The FBI is leading the investigation into the incident. The Harrisburg Police Department had no involvement other than responding to secure the scene, a police spokesperson told News Media.
The FBI said it responded to the scene but that “Justice Department policy prevents us from commenting on the nature of any investigations that may or may not be occurring.”
The FBI is leading the investigation into the incident. (FBI, File)
In addition to a hit-and-run, Lara-Hernandez’s criminal history includes an assault and a domestic violence incident, ICE said. ICE noted that its officers are facing a significant uptick in attacks as they carry out immigration enforcement operations nationwide.
“Our ICE law enforcement officers are facing a more than 1,300% increase in assaults, 3,300% increase in vehicular attacks, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest the worst of the worst,” ICE said.