ICE Agent Shoots U.S. Citizen in South Padre Island in 2025, DHS Confirms

A U.S. citizen was fatally shot by an ICE agent in 2025. This is the first known case of its kind under new immigration rules. Investigations are ongoing.
By Newsroom | Law Enforcement, Immigration |

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen in 2025, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This incident is reportedly the first known instance of a federal agent fatally shooting a U.S. citizen under the Trump administration's stricter immigration policies. The full details surrounding the shooting are still being gathered, with public records requests filed for incident reports, investigative findings, and any related video footage. It remains unclear if body-worn cameras were active or if congressional members were officially informed at the time of the event.

DHS confirms ICE agent fatally shot US citizen in 2025 - 1

Background of Enforcement Actions

The shooting occurred as ICE agents were assisting the South Padre Island Police Department following a major accident. The FBI's San Antonio field office has stated it is not involved in the current investigation.

Read More: Federal Agents Arrest 8 Suspects Tied to Harvard Street Gang in Multi-City Raids on February 19, 2026

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  • Actors Involved: Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), South Padre Island Police Department.

  • Date of Incident: Unspecified in the provided text, but reported as occurring in 2025.

  • Circumstances: ICE agents were providing assistance during a major accident.

Key Evidence and Official Statements

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the shooting in a statement to Newsweek. The FBI's involvement is explicitly denied by Special Agent Carmen Portillo.

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  • DHS Statement: Confirmed the incident involving an ICE agent and a U.S. citizen.

  • FBI Statement: Confirmed non-involvement in the probe.

  • Newsweek Actions: Filed public records requests for related documentation and video.

Incidents of Force and Fatalities in ICE Custody

Reports from 2025 and 2026 highlight several instances of force used by ICE officers and deaths occurring in ICE custody, though the specific incident involving the U.S. citizen's death has not yet been fully detailed.

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Confrontations During Arrests

Several reports detail confrontations during immigration enforcement operations where force was used.

  • Chicago Area (September 2025): An ICE officer fatally shot Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez in a Chicago suburb. DHS stated Villegas-Gonzalez resisted arrest and dragged an ICE officer with his car. Officials reported the officer discharged his firearm out of fear for his life after being dragged a significant distance.

  • Franklin Park, Illinois (September 2025): This incident, involving Silverio Villegas-Gonzales, is described similarly, with ICE stating he resisted arrest and attempted to drive his car into the arrest team, leading to an officer discharging his firearm after another officer was dragged.

  • Chicago Area (November 2025): DHS reported that agents were shot at during immigration enforcement operations. Federal agents also faced accusations of using crowd control measures like pepper spray and flash-bang grenades against protesters.

Deaths in ICE Custody

Beyond shootings, other deaths have been recorded within ICE detention facilities.

  • El Paso, Texas (January 2026): Geraldo Lunas Campos, aged 55, died on January 3 at an ICE detention facility. An autopsy report noted signs of damaged neck vessels, and injuries to his knees and chest. His family stated his heart issues began after his detention.

  • General 2025 Data: Reports indicate that 2025 was ICE's deadliest year in two decades, with 32 individuals dying in custody. Causes of death varied, including acute pneumonia, with some families reporting detainees were healthy prior to their detention.

Unanswered Questions

Several aspects of the fatal shooting of the U.S. citizen in 2025 remain unclarified:

  • The exact location and date of the shooting.

  • The identity of the U.S. citizen who was killed.

  • Whether body-worn camera footage exists and will be released.

  • Whether members of Congress were officially notified about the incident.

Conclusion

The DHS has confirmed an ICE agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen in 2025 during an operation in South Padre Island. This event is highlighted as a potentially unprecedented occurrence under recent administration policies. While other reports detail use of force and fatalities within ICE custody during the same period, specific details about this particular shooting are limited. Investigations are ongoing, with requests for official records and footage filed. The lack of immediate clarity on key details, such as the existence of bodycam footage and official notifications, underscores the need for further information.

Read More: US Citizens Detained by ICE Agents in 2026, Over 170 Cases Reported

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened in South Padre Island in 2025 involving an ICE agent?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that an ICE agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen in South Padre Island in 2025. This happened while ICE agents were helping the local police after a big accident.
Q: Is this shooting the first of its kind?
Reports suggest this may be the first time a federal agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen under the current administration's stricter immigration policies. Full details are still being gathered.
Q: What are the other recent ICE-related incidents?
In 2025, an ICE officer also fatally shot Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez in a Chicago suburb after he reportedly resisted arrest and dragged an officer with his car. Additionally, 2025 was ICE's deadliest year in two decades, with 32 people dying in custody for various reasons.
Q: What information is still missing about the South Padre Island shooting?
It is not yet clear if body-worn cameras were used or if Congress was told about the shooting. Officials are still collecting incident reports and any video footage.
Q: Who is investigating the shooting?
The FBI's San Antonio field office has stated it is not involved in this specific investigation. The details are being handled by other agencies, likely within DHS.