An incident in Charlotte on Sunday afternoon resulted in the injury of a law enforcement officer when a man reportedly drove a van into officers and crashed into their vehicles. This occurred against the backdrop of immigration raids across the North Carolina city.

According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the suspect, identified as a U.S. citizen, sped his van toward officers engaged in an operation near the University City area. This reckless act initiated a perilous high-speed chase through a heavily populated zone.

DHS explained that during the pursuit, the suspect attempted to collide with law enforcement vehicles, thereby creating a substantial public safety risk. Agents eventually managed to contain the suspect by boxing him in, but not without further attempts on his part to escape by ramming into their vehicles.

As a result of the confrontation, one officer sustained injuries, DHS confirmed. The dramatic sequence underscores the hazards faced by law enforcement during such operations, as well as the potential risks to public safety.

One officer was injured in the incident, according to DHS.

After the suspect was arrested, agents discovered a firearm inside the van, officials confirmed.

FILE PHOTO: Department of Homeland Security Investigations Officers operate a drone in search of two individuals who fled the scene after being stopped while selling flowers on the side of the road on November 16, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Ryan Murphy/Getty Images)

“The perpetrator has prior arrests for resisting law enforcement, public disturbance and intoxication/ disruptive conduct,” according to DHS.

The encounter unfolded as federal agents launched a major immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte over the weekend.

U.S. Border Patrol agents were seen on Saturday making arrests across the city of more than 900,000 residents, according to the Associated Press.

FILE PHOTO: A Department of Homeland Security agent stands guard as protesters demonstrate against raids conducted by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside the DHS office in Charlotte, North Carolina, on November 16, 2025.  (PETER ZAY/AFP via Getty Images)

The operation is part of a federal push to ensure “Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed,” according to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. 

The operation comes months after the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, aboard a Charlotte light-rail train.

It also follows similar immigration enforcement raids recently conducted in California, Illinois, Oregon and New York.

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