US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shot and killed a man near Chicago on Friday after he allegedly drove his car at a group of agents.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE had been trying to apprehend the man, who reportedly resisted arrest by driving towards the agents. One agent was dragged along by the vehicle.
The agent, fearing for his life, drew his weapon and opened fire.
The driver, identified as Silverio Villegas-Gonzales, was later pronounced dead at a hospital.
During a vehicle stop, the suspect resisted and attempted to drive his vehicle into the arrest team, striking an officer and subsequently dragging him as he fled the scene, the department's statement noted.
The agent sustained severe injuries but is in stable condition following the incident.
The Department of Homeland Security revealed that Villegas-Gonzales had a history of reckless driving and was an undocumented migrant, having entered the country at an unknown time.
The local police department in Franklin Park, where the incident occurred, stated they were not involved in the events.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called for a transparent investigation, saying, the people of Illinois deserve a full, factual accounting of what's happened today to ensure transparency and accountability.
Franklin Park, a suburb close to O'Hare Airport, has a population of around 18,000, with a significant Hispanic community. The incident occurs amid ramped-up immigration enforcement activities in the Chicago area, spurred by directives from the Trump administration.
