ICE Agents Shoot Undocumented Maryland Man Who Allegedly Rammed Them with Van
On Wednesday, a traffic stop outside Baltimore escalated dramatically when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents shot an undocumented man. The incident occurred during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
Details of the Incident
ICE agents attempted to stop a van driven by Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins, a Portuguese national. He had been living in the U.S. since December 2008 but remained after his visa expired in February 2009.
- Driver: Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins
- Passenger: Solomon Antonio Serrano-Esquivel from El Salvador
- Date of Incident: Wednesday
- Location: Glen Burnie, Maryland
When approached by the officers, Sousa-Martins reportedly refused to turn off the engine. Instead, he attempted to flee, ramming into ICE vehicles and driving directly at the agents. This prompted the officers to open fire, striking the driver.
Injuries and Medical Care
Both Sousa-Martins and his passenger, Serrano-Esquivel, were injured during the encounter. Fortunately, they are currently in stable condition and expected to recover, as stated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The van ended up crashing between two buildings, although initial reports showed it had hit a tree. ICE agents quickly provided medical assistance before transporting both men to a local hospital.
Concerns and Responses
This incident marks the second time in a week that ICE agents shot at undocumented individuals during operations involving alleged aggression against officers. Only a few days prior, a separate incident occurred where an undocumented person reportedly attempted to harm agents, although no shots were fired.
Emily Covington, ICE Assistant Director of Public Affairs, discussed the rising frequency of such aggressive encounters. She noted that there has been an alarming trend of individuals using their vehicles to threaten law enforcement during immigration enforcement actions.
Criticism and Precedents
The tactics used during these encounters have faced significant scrutiny. Critics argue that tactics like the “precision immobilization technique” (PIT) could be considered a use of deadly force.
On a related note, a recent case involved Marimar Martinez, who was shot by a Customs and Border Patrol agent under similar circumstances, raising questions about the handling of such incidents.
As immigration enforcement escalates across the nation, incidents of this nature highlight the complexities and dangers involved in such operations. It remains to be seen how local law enforcement and the DHS will respond moving forward.
