An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fired his weapon after being struck by a van during an attempted apprehension in Ocean County, New Jersey, according to local police.
The incident occurred Monday (June 15) at approximately 9:30 a.m. along Route 72 near Mermaid Drive in Stafford Township’s Manahawkin community. According to the Stafford Township Police Department, ICE was attempting to apprehend a suspect when that person fled the scene in a vehicle, striking the agent.
The agent discharged his firearm at the vehicle, reportedly striking it, according to police. Law enforcement sources said bullets struck the van and possibly blew out the vehicle’s back window. The suspect fled the scene and has not been located at this time.
The agent reportedly sustained unknown injuries. Officials have not released the condition of the officer, but sources said he is expected to be OK. It is unknown if the suspect was injured.
Police say there is no reason to believe there is any concern for the public’s safety. Authorities have not released descriptions of the suspect or the vehicle.
The Stafford Township Police Department pointed out that they adhere to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive and they were not assisting in or part of the ICE operation, nor are they investigating the incident.
Police are asking those traveling to avoid Route 72 near Mermaid Drive, which is about one mile west of the Garden State Parkway, as the investigation will likely take several hours.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in New Jersey. In a separate incident in February, an ICE agent shot out the tires of a vehicle in Morris County after the driver allegedly attempted to run him over during an arrest attempt.
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General typically investigates incidents in which a member of law enforcement fires a weapon during an investigation in New Jersey.
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