Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary | official facebook
Border Patrol agents in Chicago were attacked by individuals identified as domestic terrorists, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The incidents involved three vehicles being used against federal law enforcement officers.
One suspect, Marimar Martinez, reportedly armed with a semi-automatic weapon and previously known for exposing personal information about federal agents online, was shot by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers. After receiving medical treatment at a hospital, she is now in FBI custody. Another individual involved in the ramming incident, Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, has also been apprehended.
The situation escalated as more people gathered at the scene and threw smoke devices, gas canisters, rocks, and bottles at DHS personnel. A further arrest was made after an assault on CBP officers.
Local authorities did not participate in securing the area following Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s refusal to allow local police involvement. In response, Secretary Kristi Noem authorized special operations teams to be deployed to manage the unrest.
In another incident related to these events, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle was intentionally struck by a pursuing individual who tried to force it off the road. This person has been detained by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
During these confrontations, an ICE vehicle sustained damage after its tire blew out and officers were forced to abandon it due to safety concerns when surrounded by attackers.
Several CBP agents required hospitalization for their injuries.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “These attacks on our brave law enforcement officers must END. Secretary Noem has taken action to deploy additional resources to restore law and order. We will not allow domestic terrorists to attack our law enforcement. If you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
