Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Federal immigration agent fires shots at car in San Bernardino
The director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Baltimore Field Office, Matt Elliston, listens during a briefing on Jan. 27 in Silver Spring, Maryland.
(
Alex Brandon
/
AP
)
A San Bernardino family says that masked federal immigration agents fired multiple shots at them on Saturday morning while they were in their car.
Video footage taken by a family member and obtained by LAist media partner KCAL News show the driver being stopped by agents and the driver's car window shattered. After the window is shattered, one of the uniformed officer's punches into the car, through the shattered glass.
San Bernardino Police Department said in a statement that their officers arrived to the intersection of Acacia Avenue and Baseline Street at around 8:45 a.m. after receiving reports of gunfire.
At the scene, federal agents told police that they were involved in an "officer-involved shooting" and alleged that the car had fled the scene in a matter that threatened their officers.
Support for LAist comes from
In a statement obtained by LAist, the Department of Homeland Security said Customs and Border Protection officers opened fire "in self defense."
What we know about the shooting
Homeland Security officials said they had been conducting a "targeted enforcement operation" in the area and that the driver refused to step out of the vehicle after being stopped.
"The suspect drove his car at the officers and struck two CBP officers with his vehicle," DHS said in the statement, "forcing a CBP officer to discharge his firearm in self-defense."
DHS officials said the officers were injured but did not give details about the extent of those injuries.
Support for LAist comes from
Shortly after the confrontation, the driver called police to report that "masked men had tried to pull him over, broke his car window, and shot at him," according to the San Bernardino Police Department.
What we know about what happened afterward
Later that morning, federal immigration agents surrounded the driver's and their family's home.
By then, the federal officials said San Bernardino sheriff's deputies had "located the subject at a residence and briefly had him in custody" before "he was set free."
The statement called that "another terrible example of California’s pro-sanctuary policies in action that shield criminals instead of protecting communities.”
After a crowd started to form to support the family at their home, federal officers eventually left, without making any arrest.
"Despite never presenting a warrant, they remained until 3:45 p.m., pressuring the individual to come outside," said Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice in a statement. The nonprofit said it's providing legal services to the family.
Updated August 17, 2025 at 9:51 AM PDT
This story updated with additional details from federal immigration enforcement officials.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist