November 26, 2025

Community Reaction and Conflicting Accounts

Following the shooting, protesters arrived at the scene, with some throwing water bottles. ICE agents reportedly responded with tear gas and flashbang grenades. One woman, Elizabeth Ruiz, claimed ICE agents arrested her son, a U.S. citizen, while he was driving with friends, saying he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Brandon Lee, a representative from the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, disputed DHS’s account. He said community members did not witness officers being “boxed in” as claimed. Instead, he alleged federal agents caused a multi-car collision and fired at least one shot into a civilian vehicle.

The Chicago Police Department stated it was not involved in the shooting and referred all inquiries to federal authorities, emphasizing that officers were on the scene only to maintain safety and traffic control.