FBI Offers $50,000 Reward in Ongoing Search for Suspect Who Fired at Agents Near Los Angeles Protests
FBI Offers $50,000 Reward in Ongoing Search for Suspect Who Fired at Agents Near Los Angeles Protests
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the identification and apprehension of an individual who reportedly fired a pistol at federal immigration agents last Thursday near Los Angeles. The incident occurred during protests in Camarillo, Ventura County, where agents were conducting an operation.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor for California’s Central District, announced the substantial reward last Thursday night, hours after the confrontation. Helicopter footage shared on social media showed a man appearing to aim a handgun amidst the protest and tear gas deployment. Authorities confirmed the incident took place around 2:26 p.m., though thankfully, no injuries from gunfire were reported.
The federal operation involved U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, who were at a marijuana grow facility where 10 juveniles, unauthorized to be in the country, were discovered. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott confirmed the facility is now under investigation for potential child labor violations. Cannabis company Glass House Brands, which operates the farm, stated it fully cooperated with the agents’ search warrants.
The incident has ignited further tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement in the Los Angeles area. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned any assault on law enforcement while sharing video of tear gas use. Local officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, have sharply criticized the federal operations, describing them as politically motivated and lacking transparency. Brownley labeled them “militarized raids” and an “unacceptable assault on our way of life,” urging ICE to focus on individuals posing real public safety threats.
This event unfolds amidst ongoing legal disputes, including a lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice on June 30 against Los Angeles over its “sanctuary city” policies, which U.S. Attorney Essayli has previously stated obstruct federal immigration law enforcement. Camarillo, a city of approximately 70,000, is located about 50 miles west of downtown Los Angeles in an agricultural region. The FBI’s reward remains active as the search for the suspect continues.
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