Staff Reporter
Federal officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened fire on a vehicle in San Bernardino on Saturday morning after the driver allegedly struck two officers during an attempted traffic stop. The incident took place at approximately 8:40 a.m. as part of a targeted immigration enforcement operation, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers say driver struck two agents.
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Officers opened fire on vehicle carrying three passengers; no one injured.
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Family members dispute DHS account, citing excessive force.
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Local police limited by California’s sanctuary law, the Values Act.
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DHS criticizes California policies for protecting suspects from arrest.
DHS Version of Events
Authorities stated that the man at the wheel refused to exit his vehicle when approached by officers. DHS reported that the driver “drove his car at the officers,” hitting two of them in the process.
In response, agents opened fire on the vehicle. The shots did not hit anyone inside, despite the fact that three people were in the car at the time. The driver, however, managed to escape. DHS later confirmed two officers had sustained injuries, though the extent was not disclosed.
Family’s Account of the Shooting
Members of the family offered a sharply different account of what unfolded. Speaking to CBS News Los Angeles, relatives insisted the driver never attempted to strike the officers and instead was met with sudden aggression.
“They never explained why they were stopping us,” said Martin, a passenger seated in the back during the confrontation. “The officers had masks on, they shattered the driver’s window, and then they hit him in the head.”
According to Martin, it was only after the glass broke and his father-in-law was struck that gunfire began.
“I was thinking the bullets were gonna run through the back window and hit any of us,” Martin said. “We were terrified.”
Martin later shared photos and video with reporters. Images showed bullet holes across the vehicle’s exterior, while the footage appeared to capture an officer punching the driver after breaking the window.
Return Home and Police Response
After the clash, the family said they returned home. Martin’s father-in-law, an undocumented immigrant who has lived in the United States for more than two decades, called the San Bernardino Police Department (SBPD). He reported that masked men had broken his window and fired at him.
Officers who arrived at the home confirmed the vehicle had sustained damage but did not intervene further. The SBPD later explained that under California’s Values Act, state and local police are barred from assisting federal authorities in immigration enforcement operations.
Hours-Long Standoff
Later that morning, federal immigration officers appeared at the family’s home. According to the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, agents surrounded the residence around 11 a.m., remaining outside for hours. Advocates said the officers attempted to pressure the driver to come outside but did not provide a warrant or communicate clearly with the family.
By early afternoon, tensions grew as neighbors gathered. At 1:15 p.m., federal agents requested assistance from SBPD, citing safety concerns due to the crowd. Police returned to provide crowd control.
“In this case, federal agents requested assistance during a lawful arrest for assaulting a federal officer when a crowd created a potential officer safety concern,” police said in a statement. “This was not an immigration-related arrest, which would be prohibited under California law.”
Federal agents left shortly before 4 p.m. without making an arrest.
DHS vs. Sanctuary Law
The Department of Homeland Security later issued a statement criticizing California’s sanctuary policies, arguing that state law prevented officers from taking a suspect into custody. DHS said the driver had “wounded two officers” but was released because of “California’s pro-sanctuary policies in action that shield criminals instead of protecting communities.”
Advocates, however, maintain the man has no criminal record.
Family’s Concerns
Martin described his father-in-law as a long-time resident who has built a life in California.
“He’s been here for 23 years,” Martin said. “He owns a home, he runs a business, he’s always been hardworking.”
According to Martin, his father-in-law has attempted to secure legal residency “many, many times,” but has been repeatedly denied.
The family now fears further encounters with federal officers.
“They’re definitely gonna come back,” Martin said. “That’s what they do. Now we’re gonna be looking over our shoulder and fearing for our safety.”
The incident in San Bernardino has left sharply conflicting accounts between federal authorities and the family involved, underscoring the tension between immigration enforcement and California’s sanctuary laws. While DHS maintains its officers were attacked, relatives say they were met with sudden violence and no explanation. With no arrests made and federal agents vowing to continue their pursuit, the case remains unresolved—leaving a community on edge and a family bracing for what may come next.
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