A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officer fired defensive shots early Wednesday morning during a targeted immigration enforcement operation in Compton, California. The incident involved an attempt by a suspect to evade arrest by using his vehicle against agents.
According to a statement from DHS posted on January 21, 2026, the operation began at approximately 7:05 a.m. PST. Agents were attempting to arrest William Eduardo Moran Carballo, described as a violent criminal illegal alien from El Salvador. Moran Carballo has two prior arrests for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant and received a final order of removal from an immigration judge in 2019. DHS officials stated he is involved in human smuggling activities.
During the arrest attempt, Moran Carballo allegedly weaponized his vehicle and rammed toward law enforcement in an effort to evade capture. Fearing for his life and safety, a DHS agent fired defensive shots. Moran Carballo was not struck by the gunfire. He then exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot but was quickly apprehended by federal agents.
DHS reported that Moran Carballo sustained no injuries from the incident. However, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was injured during the events. Specific details on the nature or severity of the officer's injury were not provided in the initial statement.
The DHS statement highlighted broader concerns about officer safety during immigration enforcement actions. It noted a reported 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks against officers in recent periods. Officials attributed this surge in part to encouragement from sanctuary jurisdiction policies and politicians, including references to California Governor Gavin Newsom. The statement mentioned that some jurisdictions have distributed guides advising individuals on recognizing ICE agents, blocking entry, and defying arrest.
This incident marks the third reported officer-involved shooting involving DHS or ICE personnel this month, according to the department's characterization.
No additional injuries or fatalities were reported from the Compton event. Moran Carballo was taken into custody following the foot pursuit. The situation remains under review, with DHS indicating that more information would be forthcoming as the investigation progresses.
The operation took place in Compton, a city in Los Angeles County with a significant immigrant population. Federal authorities have emphasized that such targeted arrests focus on individuals with criminal histories and final removal orders.
No video footage of the incident was mentioned or released in connection with the DHS statement. The account relies primarily on the official DHS description and has not been independently verified by additional sources at the time of this reporting.
Federal investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances, including the sequence of events leading to the use of force and the injury to the CBP officer. No formal charges related to the shooting have been detailed publicly beyond the apprehension of Moran Carballo on existing immigration and criminal grounds.
