A federal immigration agent fatally shot a man in northwest suburban Franklin Park Friday morning after the agency says the man tried to flee a traffic stop and struck the officer with his vehicle.
Officers with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency were conducting “targeted law enforcement activity” in Franklin Park when they pulled over a vehicle, according to a statement from the agency.
“During a vehicle stop, the suspect resisted and attempted to drive his vehicle into the arrest team, striking an officer and subsequently dragging him as he fled the scene,” the statement read. “Fearing for his life, the officer discharged his firearm and struck the subject.”
Both the officer and the suspect were taken to a nearby hospital, where the suspect was pronounced dead, according to the statement. The officer sustained “severe injuries,” but his condition was stabilized, the statement said.
“Viral social media videos and activists encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement not only spread misinformation, but also undermine public safety, the safety of our officers and those being apprehended,” the agency wrote in the statement. Social media reports showed parts of Grand Avenue closed in the suburb.
No further information about the shooting victim was immediately released.
Franklin Park police referred questions about the incident to federal authorities.
The FBI confirmed that agents were at the scene assisting law enforcement in the investigation. “There is no threat to public safety or further information available at this time,” the FBI said in a statement.
Meanwhile, in west suburban Broadview, a confrontation between protesters and agents at an ICE facility grew tense Friday and let to pushing and shoving.
Just before noon, roughly a dozen agents in full riot gear with rifles approached about 30 protesters in a line. A few of the protesters began to be dragged away when the remaining group began pushing and shoving agents, who retreated to a nearby parking garage.
“Shame! Shame! Shame!” the protesters shouted.
Agents and a group protesting at the facility had faced off all morning, with agents occasionally appearing at the door of the building as a dispersal order was played over speakers.