Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Saturday in a news release that law enforcement officers “fired defensive shots” at “an armed US citizen” after multiple vehicles “boxed in” federal agents who were patrolling Chicago this morning.

Newsweek has reached out to ICE, DHS, and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for comment via email on Saturday. 

"This morning, during routine patrolling in Broadview, in the same area of Chicago that law enforcement were assaulted yesterday, our brave law enforcement officers were rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars," McLaughlin said in the statement.

Loading twitter content...

Why It Matters

The Trump administration has ramped up immigration enforcement in Chicago through Operation Midway Blitz, which started in early September and seeks to target individuals in the country without legal status who have criminal records or pending charges. Dozens of armed federal agents in tactical gear have patrolled the city.

Protesters demonstrating against ICE raids, arrests, and detention conditions have at times clashed with law enforcement. In Los Angeles this summer, officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds during several nights of demonstrations.

The shooting comes weeks after Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez was shot dead by an ICE officer in a Chicago suburb on September 12.

What To Know

On Saturday morning, federal law enforcement agents were "conducting routine patrolling in Broadview," in the Chicago suburbs. Recent protests and clashes with law enforcement at the Broadview Processing Center have led to dozens of arrests.

McLaughlin said the agents were "rammed by vehicles and boxed in by 10 cars this morning."

She noted that "one of the drivers who rammed the law enforcement vehicle was armed with a semi-automatic weapon." The individual has not been publicly identified, but McLaughlin said in an X post that she was named in a CBP intelligence bulletin last week over her online posts. The woman allegedly posted online, "Hey to all my gang let’s f*** those motherf***** up, don’t let them take anyone," with regards to agents.

"Law enforcement was forced to deploy their weapons and fire defensive shots at an armed US citizen who drove herself to the hospital to get care for wounds," McLaughlin said.

Chicago Sun-Times, citing Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Merritt, the woman was taken in fair condition to Mount Sinai Hospital.

The shooting comes as leaders in Chicago and Illinois criticized the Trump administrations deployment of federal resources.

Crowds reportedly gathered Saturday afternoon protesting the shooting, and were faced with tear gas by federal officers, the Chicago-Sun Times reported.

What People Are Saying

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said in an X post on Saturday: "Today in Chicago, members of our brave law enforcement were attacked—rammed and boxed in by ten vehicles, including an attacker with a semi-automatic weapon. I am deploying more special operations to control the scene. Reinforcements are on their way. If you see a law enforcement officer today, thank them."

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said in an X post Saturday: "This morning, the Trump Administration’s Department of War gave me an ultimatum: call up your troops, or we will. It is absolutely outrageous and un-American to demand a Governor send military troops within our own borders and against our will."

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said in a Saturday X post: "FBI assets have responded, and are investigating, the incident in Chicago. Trying to intimidate law enforcement will not slow us down. The mission will not stop."

White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Newsweek in a Saturday email: “Amidst ongoing violent riots and lawlessness, that local leaders like Pritzker have refused to step in to quell, President Trump has authorized 300 national guardsmen to protect federal officers and assets. President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities.”

What Happens Next?

DHS said no agents were injured and reinforcement is on the way. President Donald Trump authorized 300 National Guard troops to Chicago Saturday afternoon.

Update 10/4/25, 6:31 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Update 10/4/25, 4:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Update 10/4/25, 3:10 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.