US Marshal shot during immigration enforcement operation in South Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — An investigation is ongoing after a man who federal agents were trying to apprehend was shot during an immigration operation in South Los Angeles on Tuesday morning. A U.S. Marshal was also injured by a ricochet bullet.

The shooting happened around 8:52 a.m. Federal officials said it began as a targeted enforcement traffic stop on an undocumented immigrant who had previously escaped from custody.

A view from Los Angeles ABC Station’s AIR7 Chopper over the scene showed a dark-colored sedan boxed in by several other vehicles.

Witnesses told KABC the man involved is a TikToker who regularly follows ICE.

In Spanish, Pier Rojas, who also takes video of ICE agents, told Eyewitness News that the man was in his car, and it appeared he was nervous and afraid, not wanting to get out of the car. The witness said agents then fired rubber bullets and tear gas.

In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said the man “weaponized his vehicle and began ramming the law enforcement vehicle in an attempt to flee. Fearing for the safety of the public and law enforcement, our officers followed their training and fired defensive shots.”

The man was shot once in the elbow, and the U.S. Marshal was shot in the hand by a ricochet bullet, according to DHS.

Crowds formed outside the California Hospital in downtown L.A., where the man and the marshal were taken for treatment. There was no word on their conditions.

The shooting happened down the street from Santee High School, but campus operations were not impacted by the law enforcement investigation.