Chicago

Man Shot by ICE Agents During Attempted Arrest in Chicago: Police

A 53-year-old man was wounded after being shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Chicago's Belmont Cragin neighborhood on the Northwest Side Monday morning, according to police.

The shooting happened just before 6:20 a.m. in the 6100 block of West Grand, Chicago police said. Family identified the wounded man as Felix Torres. ICE said they were not initially at the residence to arrest Torres.

ICE Homeland Security Investigations special agents were attempting to make an arrest when someone pointed a weapon at them, officials with the department said in a statement. 

Chicago police said the agents were executing a federal enforcement initiative when the shooting took place. 

The man was transported to an area hospital and listed in serious condition. 

Family members of Torres claim he did not have a gun and is in the United States legally. His daughter, Carmen Torres, told NBC 5 the family was not told why agents were at the home Monday. She said her father was shot as three children, including a 5-month-old, stood nearby.

"My dad doesn't have any guns, my dad just went to see what's going on," Torres said. "He just opened the door and they just shot him."

Her family has leived legally at the home for nearly 30 years, she said.

Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa said the raid "is exactly why the City of Chicago should refuse to collaborate with ICE."

"This guns blazing ICE raid deepens my resolve to organize my community so we can keep each other safe from the threat posed by ICE," Ramirez-Rosa said in a statement. "The City and State should not wait until another Chicagoan is shot by ICE to act on strengthening the Welcoming City Ordinance and passing the TRUST Act (HB 3099)."

Neighbor Gabriela Lucatero said her husband captured cellphone footage of authorities telling Felix Torres and other bystanders to get down on the ground.

"One of the cops was saying to come out with his hands up," she said.

The shooting remained under investigation by ICE as of Monday afternoon. 

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