Off-Duty ICE Agent Arrested After Allegedly Attacking Fresno Family Who Found Him Asleep on Lawn
The agent was shot by a homeowner and later handcuffed by an off-duty police officer who is the boyfriend of the woman he allegedly attacked.
An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent was shot and arrested early Friday morning after allegedly attacking a Fresno family who found him asleep on their front lawn. David Gonzalez, 32, of Texas, was discovered by police with a gunshot wound to the stomach around 3:20 a.m. in the area of East Dudley and North Broadway Street.
According to police, a woman returning home discovered Gonzalez on her lawn and alerted her 72-year-old father. The father reportedly urged Gonzalez to leave, but the agent allegedly became hostile, resisted, and pushed the elderly man to the ground. When the daughter intervened, Gonzalez also allegedly attacked her.
The 72-year-old homeowner then allegedly discharged his firearm, striking Gonzalez in the stomach. The woman's boyfriend, who is an off-duty police officer, arrived on the scene and placed Gonzalez in handcuffs. Emergency services transported Gonzalez to a local hospital. He is expected to be booked into the Fresno County jail on felony vandalism and battery charges.
ICE confirmed that Gonzalez was off-duty at the time of the incident and stated that they are referring inquiries to the Fresno Police Department. Officials also noted that the agent was alone when the incident occurred.
Fresno police have indicated that the 72-year-old homeowner will not face charges for shooting Gonzalez, as he legally owned the firearm and was acting in self-defense. The incident has drawn concern from local officials and residents.
Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias called the incident an example of "irresponsible adults with guns and intoxicated," adding that it is "so stupid" for such individuals to be drinking in neighborhoods they are reportedly terrorizing. A local resident expressed worry about federal agents becoming excessively intoxicated and posing a risk to citizens.