An ICE Officer Shoots Motorist in Ontario

Introduction to the Incident

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot a driver on a residential Ontario street on Thursday morning, Oct. 30, after the man pulled his SUV ahead of ICE and then went into reverse, attempting to run the officers over, federal officials said. The man, a U.S. citizen, was struck by gunfire on his shoulder, family members later told the Southern California News Group. His family identified him as Carlos Jimenez, 24, of Ontario.

Details of the Shooting

Jimenez was taken to a hospital by a family member. Blood was streaked across the steering wheel of his SUV, and dripped across the side of the driver’s seat, the car’s center console and the armrest of the passenger seat in a photo taken by Jimenez’s brother. The window of the back passenger side door of the silvery blue Lexus SUV was partially shattered. At about 6:30 a.m., ICE officers had pulled over a different vehicle in the 2800 block of South Vineyard Avenue for an undisclosed reason. The second driver, after getting ahead of the ICE vehicle, was asked by ICE to leave the area. Instead, said Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, the suspect put his vehicle in reverse in the direction of officers — prompting the officer to fire at the vehicle.

Investigation and Response

The suspect “attempted to run officers over by reversing directly at them without stopping,” McLaughlin said in a statement. “An ICE officer, fearing for his life, fired defensive shots at the vehicle.” The driver abandoned his vehicle and fled, McLaughlin said. The discrepancy between that statement and Jimenez’s brothers’ account that he drove his car home could not immediately be reconciled. The car was parked at an angle in the front carport of Jimenez’s home on Thursday afternoon, where his brother photographed it. The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating a shooting by an ICE officer on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 in Ontario.

Eyewitness Accounts

Kevin Esquivel, 19, was driving home Thursday morning when he came across the evolving scene. He saw a law enforcement SUV, with its doors open and officers standing by them, stopped on Vineyard with emergency lights on. He then heard several “pops.” Richard Ermer, 20, who lives in the nearby Country Meadows Mobile Home Park, was awakened by the gunshots. He said he heard as many as five — followed by sirens. Ontario police, who were not involved in the shooting, were asked to provide “emergency assistance” by DHS and provided security and traffic control, they said in a statement.

Reaction from Authorities and Community

Rep. Norma J. Torres, D-Ontario, went door to door in the Country Meadows Mobile Home Park on Thursday, looking for witnesses to the shooting. “I’m out here trying to get answers to all of my questions,” Torres said. “Number one, did they make a notification to the city of Ontario Police Department that they were going to do an activity here? “Number two, with the officer-involved shooting, I want the video. I want to see for myself to confirm the information they are releasing is true. Time and time and time again, we have proven that they have lied to the American people by releasing false information.” Torres’ staff members carried with them a resource guide for immigrants that includes a list of their rights and a form Torres said she hopes that they will fill out that pre-authorizes members of Congress to visit them in detention facilities.

Conclusion

The shooting of Carlos Jimenez by an ICE officer has raised concerns and sparked an investigation. The incident highlights the complexities and potential dangers of law enforcement operations, especially in residential areas. As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial for all parties involved to seek transparency and accountability to ensure that justice is served.

FAQs

• Q: Who was shot by the ICE officer?
  A: Carlos Jimenez, a 24-year-old U.S. citizen from Ontario, was shot by the ICE officer.
• Q: What led to the shooting?
  A: According to federal officials, Jimenez attempted to run over ICE officers with his vehicle, prompting one of the officers to fire in self-defense.
• Q: Is there an investigation into the shooting?
  A: Yes, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident.
• Q: What is the current status of Carlos Jimenez?
  A: Jimenez was taken to a hospital and was reported to be in stable condition. He was later booked into the West Valley Detention Center without bail.
• Q: Are there any concerns about the official account of the incident?
  A: Yes, there are discrepancies between the official account and the account provided by Jimenez’s family, which could not be immediately reconciled.