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In Chicago on Saturday, a U.S. federal agent shot a motorist after the driver allegedly blocked law enforcement vehicles while armed.
This confrontation occurred as protests escalated ahead of a planned troop deployment associated with President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
The incident marks the latest flashpoint in the administration’s aggressive deportation campaign, which has prompted heavily militarised raids and demonstrations in cities including Los Angeles, Washington and Portland, Oregon.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said agents were “boxed in by 10 cars” and unable to move their vehicles.
One of the drivers involved was reportedly armed with a semi-automatic weapon, prompting agents to fire in self-defence. The motorist later drove herself to the hospital for treatment.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin claimed that Chicago police had left the scene without assisting federal officers.
The local police department confirmed officers had responded but said it was not involved in the shooting or its investigation. Federal authorities are handling the case.
The confrontation comes as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticised Washington for demanding he deploy National Guard troops in the state, warning that the federal ultimatum to act was “outrageous and un-American.”
