Federal agent opens fire in Willowbrook, prompting massive response from authorities
A federal agent opened fire during an operation in Willowbrook Wednesday morning, sparking outrage from local and federal officials.
A spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said U.S. Border Patrol or the Department of Homeland Security were involved in the shooting, which occurred at the intersection of 126th Street and Mona Boulevard.
Shortly after 7 a.m., the Border Patrol notified the Sheriff’s Department that the agency was conducting an operation in the area, according to the LASD. The conflict took place shortly after.
In a statement to ABC7, Homeland Security said the targeted operation began in nearby Compton “to apprehend a violent criminal illegal alien named William Eduardo Moran Carballo, an El Salvadoran who was involved in a human smuggling operation and had been arrested twice before for causing bodily harm to his spouse or domestic partner.”
An immigration judge issued a final restraining order against Carballo in 2019, according to DHS.
“This criminal illegal alien weaponized his vehicle and attacked law enforcement in a dangerous attempt to evade arrest,” the Homeland Security statement said. The statement was included. “Fearing for his life and safety, an agent opened defensive fire. The criminal illegal alien was not hit and attempted to flee on foot. He was successfully captured by law enforcement. The illegal alien was not injured, but a CBP officer was injured.”
No detailed information was given regarding the police officer’s injury.
Several federal agents in tactical gear, as well as sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers, responded to the scene.
“This situation is evolving and more information will be forthcoming,” DHS said.
Meanwhile, the FBI told ABC7 that the agency was not part of the operation and its evidence response team was en route to the scene.
Crowd grows after federal agent opens fire
A large group of residents and activists gathered near the scene late Wednesday morning, prompting more agents to arrive at the scene, denouncing the scene.
Some were seen holding Mexican flags and taking videos with their phones. At one point, the group was yelling at members of the sheriff’s department.
“I saw the car crash…it was really crazy,” said a local resident. “It’s crazy how they come here and disrupt everyone’s livelihood and their lives… it’s just their lives.”
Some of those who showed up were TikTok users who said they were working to give a voice to those who are afraid.
“The federal ones like to come and go,” local TikToker and livestreamer Angie Vargas said. “They like to move fast, so for them to be here and for this to happen, I honestly think they’re in the wrong city. A lot of us are opposed to what’s going on, but yeah, they’re around our city and I think there’s a lot of us here…supporting the community, being extra eyes on them. That’s why we’re here. We’re filming. We’re bringing everything…the truth of what’s going on, because there’s so many people they’re afraid to go out and see what’s going on.”
