Off-Duty ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Armed Neighbor During New Year’s Eve Incident in LA

An off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed an armed neighbor during a New Year’s Eve incident at a Los Angeles apartment complex after the man began firing a rifle, federal and local authorities confirmed, as reported by The New York Post.

The shooting occurred just after 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 at an apartment complex along Roscoe Boulevard in the Northridge area of Los Angeles.

According to authorities, the suspect, described by police only as a black male in his 30s, opened fire while inside the complex, prompting the off-duty agent to intervene.

The agent, whose name has not been released publicly, is employed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Officials said the agent was off duty at the time of the incident and lived in the same complex as the suspect.

Law enforcement sources said the neighbor began firing a rifle into the air, creating a potentially dangerous situation for nearby residents.

The off-duty agent responded by drawing his service weapon and exchanging gunfire with the suspect.

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“In order to protect his life and that of others, he was forced to defensively use his weapon and exchanged gunfire with the shooter,” said Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, in a statement.

“Fortunately, our brave officer was not injured while protecting his community,” McLaughlin added.

Police said the agent struck the suspect during the exchange. The agent then immediately called 911 to report the shooting.

Responding officers arrived at the scene and pronounced the suspect dead. No other injuries were reported.

Authorities have not said whether the suspect directly aimed or fired his weapon at the agent during the incident.

Investigators are also working to determine what led to the gunfire and whether the suspect was experiencing a personal or mental health crisis at the time.

The Los Angeles Police Department said no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, noting that the investigation remains ongoing.

As is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, detectives are reviewing evidence, witness statements, and any available surveillance footage from the apartment complex.

The incident unfolded in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, an area with a mix of residential buildings and commercial properties.

Police have not released information about how many residents were present at the complex at the time of the shooting, though officials emphasized that the agent’s actions likely prevented further danger.

Federal officials moved quickly to publicly support the agent’s response, framing it as a defensive act taken to protect himself and others nearby.

DHS officials said the agent acted within his training and responsibilities as a law enforcement officer, even while off duty.

The shooting adds to a series of recent incidents nationwide involving off-duty or retired law enforcement officers intervening during violent situations. Investigators said additional details will be released once the review process is complete.

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