A woman armed with a semi-automatic weapon was shot by U.S. Border Patrol agents in Chicago on Saturday after a group of individuals attempted to assault the officers. The incident occurred in the city’s South Side, near 39th Place and South Kedzie Avenue, where the agents were conducting their routine patrol. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the officers were surrounded and rammed by approximately ten vehicles.
The DHS reported that the officers were forced to exit their vehicle when a suspect attempted to run them over. The suspect, a U.S. citizen, was known to the federal agency for allegedly identifying agents publicly and inciting attacks against them. The woman had been named in a recent Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intelligence bulletin for doxing agents and encouraging violence against them online.
In response to the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the deployment of additional federal agents. She praised the bravery of the law enforcement officers who were attacked and assured that reinforcements were on their way.
The woman, whose identity was not immediately disclosed, drove herself to the hospital after the shooting. A spokesperson for the Chicago Fire Department confirmed that she was later found and transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
The DHS criticized the Chicago Police Department for allegedly refusing to assist in securing the shooting scene. A crowd had gathered in the area to protest the shooting, and federal agents reportedly deployed tear gas to control the situation.
This incident follows the launch of “Operation Midway Blitz” by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement last month. The initiative was aimed at targeting criminal illegal aliens in Chicago and Illinois, who were allegedly protected by Governor JB Pritzker’s sanctuary policies.
Protests have reportedly increased in the area since the launch of the operation, with demonstrators frequently targeting ICE agents. DHS reported that agents were targeted in two vehicle attacks earlier this week. The department condemned the violence and warned that such actions would have consequences.