Video captured the moment a heavy federal presence was seen at a Chicago intersection, with armed agents, many masked or wearing gas masks, met by a large crowd in the city’s East Side neighborhood.
The footage, taken by NBC Chicago photographers and the station’s Sky 5 helicopter just after 12 p.m. Tuesday, showed the situation near 105th Street and Avenue N.
Officials said the scene began with a car crash that had taken place moments before.
According to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, a Border Patrol vehicle conducting an immigration enforcement operation was “rammed” by another vehicle that then attempted to flee the scene of the crash.
“Border Patrol pursued the vehicle and was eventually able to stop it utilizing an authorized precision immobilization technique (PIT) maneuver,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
NBC Chicago has not been able to independently confirm that series of events, but footage showed at least one vehicle, a white SUV, with front end damage at the scene.
Video from a witness in the area showed a white SUV chasing a red car before the crash.
Chicago police said they responded to the scene just after 11 a.m. for a report of “an auto accident involving federal authorities.”
“CPD was not involved in any of the federal operations occurring at that location. Upon arrival to the scene, officers documented the traffic crash,” the department said in a statement. “Because this incident involved federal authorities, additional CPD supervisors responded to the scene to ensure the appropriate course of action was taken.”
After the crash, two people inside the vehicle, who DHS said were undocumented, were taken into custody as a “crowd began to form,” the spokesperson said.
Crowds gathered on doorsteps, sidewalks and in the streets, video showed.
DHS said the crowd “eventually turned hostile” and “crowd control measures were used.”
Chicago police also said members of the crowd threw objects at the agents.
“A crowd began to form and as federal authorities were leaving the scene, CPD members attempted to de-escalate the situation for the safety of everyone, including community members who were gathering at the location,” Chicago police said in a statement. “Individuals then began throwing objects at the federal agents, at which point the federal agents deployed tear gas into the street.”
The footage showed smoke rising from an intersection near the scene. A canister labeled “riot control” was later found at the scene along with other materials labeled “tactical smoke.”
CPD said 13 officers were exposed to tear gas at the scene.
State Sen. Robert Peters said he had staffers at the scene, with video showing the crowd chanting “ICE go home.”
“All eyes on the East Side right now! ICE cannot just come into our communities and wreak havoc like this,” he wrote on social media. “My staff are on the ground and we will update residents as the situation evolves.”
Beatrice Ponce de Leon, the deputy mayor for Chicago’s Immigrant, migrant and Refugee Rights, said the city supports people’s “right to protest.”
“There’s absolutely no reason to have this kind of chaos happening in our communities, putting people at risk, putting people in harm’s way, and just exacerbating the fear that people feel right now,” she said. “We are going to continue to stand firm in making Chicago a Welcoming City. We’re going to continue to stand firm in supporting people’s right to protest.”
Nearby, the Sadlowski Elementary School moved all outdoor activities inside during the situation.
In a letter to parents, Principal Rafael Jimenez said the school was “made aware of reports of activity involving federal law enforcement representatives near our school building.”
“This activity did not take place on school grounds, and it was not related to our school. All members of our school community are safe,” he wrote. “Out of an abundance of caution, we have transitioned outdoor activities such as recess to be inside the building. We will also have additional members of our staff available during dismissal. At this time, after-school programming will proceed as scheduled.”
The heavy federal presence appeared to lessen by 1 p.m.
Check back for more on this developing story.
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