ICE agents walk through a gas station, Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) A US Customs and Border Protection officer was injured during a targeted operation in South Los Angeles on Wednesday morning. According to local media reports, the incident occurred in the city of Compton, Los Angeles County.
According to ABC7, ICE agents were trying to detain William Eduardo Moran Carballo, who faces charges including human smuggling and domestic abuse. Carballo allegedly tried to ram his BMW into the officer’s vehicle, after which he opened fire.
BREAKING: ICE-involved operation in Willowbrook / Compton – rounds fired, 3 reportedly detained.
— ResistMap (@resistmap) January 21, 2026
Heavy tactical response ~300 yds from school at the time of kids walking to class. Community on high alert. pic.twitter.com/9LKudkQtgt
#BREAKING: In Compton, LA, ICE & CBP agents fired shots after a human smuggling suspect rammed their vehicle, injuring an officer. No one hit by gunfire; suspects detained.🚨
— Human Dilemma (@HumanDilemma_) January 21, 2026
Live coverage: https://t.co/wiwOyLGtHo pic.twitter.com/cgVeLrp1RO
No one was hit by gunfire, and three suspects are said to have been detained.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, in a statement, said it is aware of the incident.
Department Statement:
— LA County Sheriffs (@LASDHQ) January 21, 2026
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is aware of an incident that occurred this morning at the 2400 block of 126th Street in unincorporated Los Angeles (Willowbrook).
At approximately 7:25 a.m. Century Station deputies were requested to provide… pic.twitter.com/1qs4qntXjv
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers were conducting a “targeted operation” in Compton, California, around 7:05 am to arrest a “violent criminal illegal alien” from El Salvador.
“In a dangerous attempt to evade arrest, this criminal, illegal alien weaponized his vehicle and rammed law enforcement,” the DHS said in a statement.
“Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired defensive shots. The criminal illegal alien was not hit and attempted to flee on foot. He was successfully apprehended by law enforcement.”