On Saturday, October 4, 2025, a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot a woman in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood, sparking hours of confrontations between federal agents and protesters. The incident, which occurred around 10:30 a.m. in the 3900 block of South Kedzie Avenue, followed what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as an aggressive encounter where agents were “rammed by 10 cars” and “boxed in.” The woman, identified as a U.S. citizen armed with a semi-automatic weapon, was injured but drove herself to a hospital and was later released in fair condition. The DHS’s account has not been independently verified.
The shooting took place amid heightened tensions in Chicago due to President Donald Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz,” an aggressive immigration enforcement campaign launched last month. This marks the second shooting involving federal agents in the city since the operation began. Following the incident, about 100 protesters gathered, chanting “ICE go home” and facing off with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and Border Patrol. The situation escalated as federal agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls, while some protesters threw water bottles. Several protesters were detained, including one pinned to the ground by multiple officers.
Local residents and workers witnessed the chaotic scene. Nari, a 29-year-old gas station employee, heard what he believed were gunshots but initially mistook them for noises from a nearby rail yard. Maritza Vega, a Brighton Park resident, described tear gas reaching her home, forcing her family to flee indoors. “It’s a disgrace,” Vega said, criticizing the heavy-handed response of federal agents wielding large weapons.
Chicago police were called to the scene but did not assist federal agents, instead focusing on documenting the incident and managing traffic. Deputy Chief Gabriella Shemash told protesters, “We’re here so that you can protest,” emphasizing that the Chicago Police Department was not involved in the shooting or its investigation, which is being handled by federal authorities.
Ald. Julia Ramirez, representing Brighton Park’s 12th Ward, condemned the federal agents’ actions as “pure escalation,” accusing ICE of provoking the community. “This community stands with all of our neighbors, especially our immigrant neighbors,” she said. Protesters, including 20-year-old Trayvon Howse, expressed frustration, citing their right to free speech and questioning the need for such aggressive federal presence.
The incident comes weeks after another fatal shooting by ICE agents in Franklin Park, where 38-year-old Silverio Villegas González was killed during a traffic stop. DHS claimed Villegas González attempted to drive into officers, but body camera footage later revealed the officer’s injuries were minor, raising questions about the use of force.
In response to Saturday’s events, the White House announced plans to deploy 300 National Guard troops to Illinois, despite objections from Gov. JB Pritzker, who called the move “outrageous and un-American.” Pritzker argued that the deployment was a “manufactured performance” by Trump to exert control rather than ensure safety. Similar federal actions in cities like Los Angeles and Portland have faced legal challenges, with judges temporarily blocking troop deployments in some cases.
Community organizations, including the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, condemned ICE and Border Patrol as “violent forces” and questioned the DHS’s narrative. Brighton Park residents like Reina Diaz, a 36-year resident, expressed pain over the treatment of immigrants, while others, like 34-year-old Matthew, described the situation as “scary and wrong.”
As tensions remain high, the incident underscores the deep divide between federal immigration enforcement and Chicago’s communities, with residents and activists demanding accountability and an end to what they see as excessive force.