A 54-year-old man with a long criminal record was arrested on Monday after he threw Molotov cocktails at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office building in Los Angeles, California. The incident occurred at the Los Angeles Federal Building, where a contract Protective Security Officer reported hearing the suspect shouting anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) statements before throwing two Molotov cocktails at officers stationed outside.
Authorities stated that the bottles were not lit, resulting in no injuries or property damage. Upon arrest, law enforcement found four knives and a Leatherman tool in the suspect's possession. The man reportedly told officers that he intended to blow up the building and “spray down” all officers while continuing to make derogatory remarks about ICE.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin addressed the incident by saying, “This was a clear and deliberate attack on federal law enforcement, and it is emblematic of the constant attacks these brave men and women endure day in and day out as they put their lives on the line to arrest murderers, rapists, and gang members.” She continued, “Our officers are facing mass assaults, vehicles used as weapons against them, and even targeted shootings. These attacks are the consequences of hateful and un-American rhetoric by sanctuary politicians, activists, and the media who smear our officers with misinformation and false narratives. Secretary Noem has been clear: anyone who assaults law enforcement will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The attempted attack follows a recent fatal ambush shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington D.C., highlighting what officials describe as an increase in threats against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel. ICE reports show that assaults against its officers have risen by 1,150 percent while death threats have increased by 8,000 percent.
Records indicate that the suspect’s criminal history extends nearly forty years. Past charges include attempted murder in 1987, armed robbery in 1991, and annoying or molesting a victim under 18 years old in 2007.
