Federal agents involved in shooting in LA's Willowbrook area

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. - An investigation is underway into a shooting involving federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles County Wednesday morning.

What we know:

The incident happened around 7:20 a.m. near Mona Boulevard and 126th Street in the Willowbrook area, the sheriff's department said.

According to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, DHS law enforcement officers were conducting a "targeted operation" to "arrest a violent criminal illegal alien from El Salvador, William Eduardo Moran Carballo, who is involved in a human smuggling operation and has two prior arrests for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant."

According to DHS, an immigration judge issued a final order of removal for Carballo in 2019.

"In a dangerous attempt to evade arrest, this criminal illegal alien weaponized his vehicle and rammed law enforcement," the DHS spokesman alleged. "Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired defensive shots. The criminal illegal alien was not hit and attempted to flee on foot. He was successfully apprehended by law enforcement. The illegal alien was not injured, but a Customs and Border Protection officer was injured."

SkyFOX was over the scene where a white car was found with a broken windshield, front-end damage, and deployed airbags, suggesting a collision took place. 

Sheriff's deputies along with California Highway Patrol officers blocked roads in the area of Mona Boulevard and 126th Street briefly, but the scene was cleared by 9 a.m.  

All suspects involved are currently in custody.

What we don't know:

No details were released about the nature or seriousness of the agent's injury.

What they're saying:

"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. Our officers are now facing a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks."This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming," the DHS spokesperson added.

The other side:

Following the shooting, residents and activists gathered at the scene. Some were seen apparently attempting to speak or shout at masked federal immigration agents.

In an interview with FOX 11, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell expressed deep concern over the Willowbrook shooting, stating that residents are "rattled and afraid" following the incident. 

Mitchell linked the community's unease to a broader pattern of aggressive actions by federal immigration agents across the country. She specifically cited the recent New Year's Eve killing of Keith Porter in Northridge as a primary reason why local residents remain "on edge."

SUGGESTED: 

• Keith Porter: Family asking AG to conduct investigation following LA Times report on off-duty ICE agent
• ICE agent in death of Keith Porter facing allegations of abuse
• Keith Porter: Family demands arrest of off-duty ICE agent in Northridge father’s fatal shooting 

What's next:

The investigation has been handed over to federal authorities for further review.