A shooting involving a federal immigration agent caused a lockdown in a South Los Angeles neighborhood on Wednesday. The incident began when federal agents attempted to arrest William Eduardo Moran Carballo, an El Salvadorian citizen accused of being in the U.S. illegally and involvement in human smuggling. When Carballo tried to escape in his vehicle, he allegedly rammed into law enforcement vehicles. In response, officers fired their guns but did not hit him. However, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent was injured in the exchange.
By 9:30 a.m., a small crowd gathered near the scene at 126th Street and Mona Boulevard. Witnesses reported the intense chase and crash, and local residents expressed their fear, especially with a school nearby. “It’s scary, knowing kids are here,” one resident said.
This incident wasn’t isolated. Recent statistics revealed that since September, federal agents have been involved in numerous shooting incidents during operations, with many involving vehicles being targeted. A recent NBC investigation found that Native Security shot 11 people during immigration operations, often aiming at moving cars.
The rising number of vehicle attacks has led to increased tensions. One observer noted how she learned about the shooting via TikTok and felt overwhelmed. As frustration built among onlookers, chants demanding “ICE out of L.A” echoed through the streets.
This shooting reflects a growing pattern of confrontations between federal immigration officers and individuals trying to evade arrest. In past incidents, similar concerns emerged about the tactics used during these operations.
Communities are increasingly vocal about their distress regarding these enforcement actions, fearing for their safety and loved ones. As feelings around immigration enforcement continue to polarized, the conversation surrounding it remains intense and emotionally charged.
For more on this issue, see the recent report by NBC News.
