Boyle Heights arrest sparks outcry after tear gas used on car with family inside

Video shows federal agents detaining man in Boyle Heights

Video shared with FOX 11 shows federal agents taking a man into custody in Boyle Heights.

LOS ANGELES - Community members are speaking out following the arrest of a man during a traffic stop in Boyle Heights, where the man's vehicle was tear-gassed by federal agents while his partner and two kids were inside. 

What we know:

In the video, two unmarked gray vehicles cornered a white sedan, preventing the vehicle from moving. Three to four men, who appeared to be wearing law enforcement vests, quickly exited the cars.

A witness on the scene said the federal agents told the driver to get out, but when that didn't happen, they shot less-than-lethal rounds. It appears the vehicle was also tear-gassed. 

The driver, later identified as Christian Damian Cerno-Camacho, exited with his hands up, surrendered, and was taken into custody. 

The incident happened Wednesday around 10:47 a.m. at the intersection of Whittier Boulevard and Calzona Street in Boyle Heights.

Federal agents ram ICE protester's car

Federal officials arrested a man in Boyle Heights after ramming into his car and shooting tear gas into the vehicle. Homeland Security said the man was arrested for allegedly punching a CBP officer.

The witness also said a woman, her toddler, and her newborn were in the car at the time of the incident. Citizen video shows the woman holding her child and walking away into a store nearby. In a separate video posted by ICE, the man could be heard telling agents he has kids in the car. 

According to the family of the driver, he was wanted in connection with an incident that happened at an anti-ICE protest in Paramount over the weekend. 

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What they're saying:

The Department of Homeland Security said this was a targeted arrest on a "violent rioter" who punched a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.

"When Homeland Security Investigations tried to arrest Christian Damian Cerno-Camacho for the assault, he attempted to flee. He was ultimately arrested and taken into custody," DHS wrote in a post on X. 

"Our officers are facing a 413% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest murders, rapists, and gang members. Secretary Noem’s message to the LA rioters is clear: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."

Earlier reports indicated the incident in Boyle Heights might have been a hit-and-run, but DHS said that is not the case. 

ICE posted a video of the incident on X, saying Camacho had an active warrant and is facing charges for fleeing and damaging federal property. Additional details on those charges were not released. 

Community outraged over arrest 

The other side:

"What I see are two trucks blocking the car and I see them throw tear gas and they have babies in the car. Unfortunately…these tactics are very dangerous, there were two babies inside the car with their parents," said community member Santiago Dominguez.

"When we asked them for their badge numbers, they just laughed in our faces. What we are witnessing… there’s no laws… ICE officers are doing whatever they want and are harming our community," said another community member, Navia Topete.

Boyle Heights community asks for proof in fed's claim over man's arrest

Members of the Boyle Heights community are outraged over the arrest of a man, who the feds say punched a CBP officer during a protest in Paramount. Community members say the man never punched the officer and are now requesting proof of that incident.

Community members held a press conference in the evening, demanding to see proof of Camacho hitting the officer. A rally was also held to demand ICE end the raids. 

Attorney Christian Contreras said he plans to file a lawsuit against the federal government over Camacho's arrest. 

"Because this government deployed troops on its own soil, it can not be trusted, it can not be relied upon, and we have to look at it with a grain of salt. While we have heard the statement, we haven't seen any proof, we don't know whether it's true or not, but there are courts of law to see if there's any truth behind that statement," Contreras said.