L.A. shooting raises concerns about ICE tactics

In a statement, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said both were in “stable condition and awaiting non-life-threatening surgery.”

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OFFICERS gather near where a deputy U.S. marshal and a suspect were shot Tuesday in an ICE raid in L.A.

(ETHAN SWOPE For The Times)

“Homeland Security Investigations is perusing criminal charges for assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal law enforcement.”

The Trump administration has largely defended the tactics used during the operations, saying that officers face serious threats.

Acting U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli said in a post on X that Parias rammed his car into law enforcement vehicles in front of and behind him, “spun the tires, spewing smoke and debris into the air, causing the car to fishtail and causing agents to worry for their safety.”

“An agent breaking the Camry’s driver’s side window was not enough to subdue Parias,” he said.

DHS policy prohibits officers from firing at a moving vehicle, when no other weapon is present, unless there is a legitimate threat to their life or the lives of others.

“Firing into moving vehicles is not standard law enforcement practice except in very extreme conditions,” said Deborah Fleischaker, a former chief of staff of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “You don’t want to do it unless life and limb is at risk.”

The recent news of federal agents firing into cars “makes you wonder what has changed,” she said. “Has previous policy been revoked? Has training changed? Has supervisor instruction changed?”

Use-of-force experts say major police agencies discourage officers from shooting at vehicles being driven at them because it can actually increase the risk of friendly fire incidents and make it harder for officers to get out of the way if the driver loses control.