Off-Duty ICE Agent Stops Armed Man Firing Rifle at Los Angeles Apartment Complex
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — On New Year’s Eve, an off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent intervened in a potentially deadly situation at an apartment complex in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, fatally shooting a man who had been firing a rifle into the air. The incident unfolded around 10:30 p.m. near the intersection of Roscoe Boulevard and Louise Avenue, where residents were alarmed by a barrage of gunfire.
According to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), the armed individual began discharging rifle shots, prompting the off-duty federal agent to confront him. “It was like a lot of shots,” a nearby resident told local news outlet FOX 11. “It was more than 10 shots, it was a lot of shots, and we got scared, but I thought it was something like fireworks.”
The ICE officer, whose identity has not been released, engaged the gunman and fired his weapon in self-defense. He immediately contacted emergency services following the confrontation. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, and the agent sustained no injuries. The LAPD is conducting an ongoing investigation into the shooting.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commended the agent’s actions in a statement to Fox News Digital, calling them “brave” and emphasizing the officer’s role in protecting both his own life and those of others in the community. “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 said. “Fortunately, our brave officer was not injured while protecting his community.”
The incident comes amid heightened focus on ICE’s law enforcement efforts, particularly following recent operations that targeted dangerous criminal illegal immigrants during the holiday season. Over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, ICE announced arrests of individuals described as some of the “worst of the worst,” underscoring the agency’s commitment to public safety even during national holidays.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has highlighted the risks its agents face daily, noting a significant increase in violence directed at ICE personnel in recent years. The agency’s efforts to remove criminal elements from neighborhoods remain a priority, as reflected in their ongoing enforcement actions.
Residents of the Northridge area expressed relief following the incident, with no additional injuries reported. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting to determine all contributing factors.
For more information on ICE’s law enforcement activities, visit the Immigration and Customs Enforcement website. Details on the Department of Homeland Security’s mission and public safety initiatives can be found at DHS.gov. The Los Angeles Police Department provides updates on local investigations at LAPD Online. For broader federal law enforcement news, the FBI’s official site offers extensive resources and reports.
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