An off-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent was shot in Fresno after allegedly assaulting a 72-year-old man, authorities reported. The incident occurred early Friday morning when the agent was found sleeping on a residential lawn.
Fresno Police Department stated that they received multiple reports of a gunshot around 3:19 a.m. near East Dudley Avenue and North Broadway Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered David Gonzalez, 32, in handcuffs with a gunshot wound to his midsection.
According to police, a woman returned home to find Gonzalez asleep on her front lawn. She then contacted her 72-year-old father, who went outside to confront Gonzalez. Gonzalez reportedly awoke in an agitated and intoxicated state and allegedly attacked the elderly man, inflicting visible injuries. When the woman attempted to intervene, Gonzalez also allegedly attacked her.
The woman's father, fearing for their safety, discharged a firearm, striking Gonzalez. The woman's boyfriend, an off-duty police officer, subsequently placed Gonzalez in handcuffs. Authorities confirmed Gonzalez, who is from Texas and was alone at the time, is currently receiving medical treatment and is in custody on suspicion of felony assault. The 72-year-old victim, who was in legal possession of the firearm, is not facing charges.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Fresno regarding a reported surge in ICE arrests. Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias has voiced strong criticism, stating that the actions of federal ICE agents have led to fear and intimidation, particularly during the region's harvest season. Arias questioned the screening, qualifications, and psychological fitness of out-of-state ICE officers deployed in local communities, suggesting these tactics amount to voter suppression targeting the Latino community.
