A routine immigration enforcement operation turned chaotic on Saturday morning when U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers opened fire on a vehicle occupied by three family members, according to authorities and eyewitness accounts.
The incident, which unfolded around 8:40 a.m., has sparked controversy over the use of force and California’s sanctuary policies, leaving the family fearing for their safety.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that CBP officers were conducting a targeted immigration enforcement operation when they attempted to stop a vehicle.
The driver, described as an unauthorized immigrant, allegedly refused to exit the car and instead drove toward the officers, striking two of them.
In response, the officers discharged multiple rounds at the vehicle.
Miraculously, none of the three occupants were injured by the gunfire, though the driver managed to flee the scene initially.
However, family members inside the vehicle paint a starkly different picture of the events.
Speaking exclusively to CBS News Los Angeles, a passenger identified only as Martin—who was in the back seat—described a terrifying ordeal involving masked agents who failed to identify themselves or explain the stop.
According to Martin, the agents shattered the driver’s side window and struck the driver—his father-in-law—in the head before unleashing a barrage of bullets.
“I was thinking the bullets were gonna run through the back window and hit any of us,” Martin recounted, highlighting the fear that gripped the family during the encounter.
His brother-in-law occupied the passenger seat, while his father-in-law, a longtime U.S. resident, was behind the wheel.
Bullet Holes and Video Footage
Martin shared compelling evidence with CBS News Los Angeles, including photos of bullet holes riddling the vehicle’s exterior and video footage capturing an officer breaking the window and appearing to punch the driver.
Notably, Martin did not comment on the DHS claim that the driver struck two officers, and authorities have not detailed the extent of the officers’ injuries.
Following the shooting, the family returned to their home, where the driver promptly contacted the San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD) to report what he believed was an attack by masked assailants who had attempted to pull him over, damaged his vehicle, and fired shots at him.
SBPD officers arrived to find the bullet-damaged car and federal immigration agents already on site.
Citing the California Values Act, which bars local law enforcement from aiding federal immigration enforcement, SBPD personnel departed the scene, leaving the matter to federal authorities.
Community Response
A spokesperson for the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice (IC4IJ) stated that federal agents lingered outside the home starting around 11 a.m., exerting pressure on the family to open the door and surrender the driver.
The group alleges the agents presented no warrant and made no efforts to communicate effectively with the occupants.
Tensions escalated as a crowd gathered outside the residence, prompting federal agents to request SBPD assistance around 1:15 p.m. for crowd control.
Police clarified that this support was provided because the situation involved a potential arrest for assaulting a federal officer—a criminal matter unrelated to immigration enforcement—and posed risks to officer and public safety.
“This was not an immigration-related arrest, which would be prohibited under California law,” SBPD explained.
Federal agents ultimately departed the scene just before 4 p.m.
The driver was briefly detained but released without arrest, as agents lacked a warrant.
DHS criticized the outcome, attributing the release to “California’s pro-sanctuary policies in action that shield criminals instead of protecting communities,” despite the man’s alleged refusal to comply and the injuries to two officers.
Family’s Background
Countering this narrative, IC4IJ emphasized that the man has no criminal record.
Martin described his father-in-law as a dedicated home and business owner who has resided in the U.S. for over 23 years.
“He’s been here for 23 years.
He’s always just been a hardworking man.
There’s no reason he shouldn’t have gotten his green card a long time ago,” Martin said.
“He’s tried many, many, many times.
[The government has] always denied it.”
The family now lives in fear of retaliation.
“They’re definitely gonna come back.
There’s no doubt about it,” Martin warned.
“That’s what they do.
Now we’re gonna be looking over our shoulder and fearing for our safety.”
Broader Implications
This incident highlights ongoing debates over immigration enforcement tactics, use of deadly force, and the interplay between federal and local authorities in sanctuary states like California.
As investigations continue, questions remain about the agents’ conduct and the family’s claims, underscoring the need for transparency in such high-stakes operations.
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