UPDATE: A man from Ontario has been charged with assault on a federal officer after a dramatic confrontation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers that ended with him being shot. The incident occurred on October 30, 2023, during a planned immigration enforcement operation.
According to court documents filed in Riverside, Carlos Jimenez engaged in a verbal altercation with federal officers before reversing his SUV towards them, prompting one officer to open fire. This shocking development has raised significant concerns over the handling of immigration enforcement operations in the region.
The incident unfolded when an enforcement team, comprising ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, conducted operations on Vineyard Avenue in Ontario. Officers had stopped a Honda Accord when Jimenez arrived in his Lexus RX350 and initiated a heated argument with them. Witnesses reported that tensions escalated quickly.
Court papers reveal that after the confrontation, Jimenez initially drove away but then abruptly reversed his vehicle, leading officers to fear for their safety. As he accelerated towards them, an officer discharged his weapon, striking Jimenez in the shoulder. Following the shooting, he fled the scene and later sought medical attention at a local hospital.
Family members reported that Jimenez returned home before checking into the hospital for treatment. Once cleared, he was taken into custody by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The unfolding situation has sparked protests outside the George E. Brown Jr. federal building in support of Jimenez and opposition to federal immigration policies. Demonstrators rallied with signs demanding that ICE operations cease in the Inland Empire. Protester Ana Wilson, 34, voiced concerns about the legality of ICE’s actions, stating, “They are breaking the law in the name of law enforcement.”
As the case develops, the outcome of the immigration enforcement operation involving the occupants of the Honda remains unclear. Authorities are expected to release more details as the investigation continues.
This incident marks a significant moment in the ongoing national debate over immigration enforcement and its impact on communities. The implications of this confrontation could reverberate far beyond Ontario, as communities grapple with the realities of federal immigration policies.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story continues to evolve.
