An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a man Friday in a Chicago suburb after the suspect drove his car at officers and dragged one of them, the Department of Homeland Security said.
DHS said the encounter occurred in Franklin Park, about 18 miles west of downtown Chicago, as officers attempted to arrest a man who it said had a history of reckless driving. The department said the man refused officers' orders, drove his car in the direction of officers and struck and dragged one of the agents before the agent opened fire, perceiving a threat to his life.
ICE said both the officer and the subject were taken to a local hospital, where the suspect was pronounced dead. The officer was being treated; DHS did not immediately provide details on the officer’s condition.
"We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer. He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a department statement released Friday.
The shooting occurred less than a week into an ICE enforcement operation in the Chicago area that the agency has called "Midway Blitz." McLaughlin said viral social media videos and activists encouraging resistance to immigration enforcement have made the work of officers more dangerous, remarks that echoed the agency’s broader contention that protests and online encouragements have complicated its operations.
The incident adds to tensions in the region over immigration enforcement. In recent days, activists have staged demonstrations outside immigration processing centers, and some have directly confronted federal officers, according to images and reporting from the area.
DHS did not identify the deceased or provide additional details about the arrest attempt, and it did not say whether the man was in the country legally. The department said it was notifying the next of kin and coordinating with local authorities. Standard practice in officer-involved shootings typically includes internal and external reviews; DHS did not immediately outline which investigative bodies would review the incident.
Local law enforcement agencies have historically coordinated with ICE on certain arrests and operations, and the agency has faced sustained scrutiny and protests from immigrant-rights groups and activists. ICE’s statement framed the shooting as an instance in which an officer used lethal force after being endangered by a vehicle.
Representatives for local authorities and advocacy groups did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The department said it would provide more information as it becomes available.
The shooting comes amid a national debate over immigration policy and enforcement tactics, with cities such as Chicago often at the center of disputes over cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The Midway Blitz marks a renewed ICE focus on enforcement actions in the region; the agency has said such operations aim to arrest individuals with criminal records or those who pose public-safety risks.
Officials have said they will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the Friday shooting and to release further findings when confirmed.