a confrontation between federal immigration enforcement agents and San Bernardino resident Francisco Longoria escalated into gunfire, leaving bullet holes in his truck. Attorneys representing Longoria are demanding a criminal investigation, alleging excessive force and a lack of transparency. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains the shooting was in self-defense, setting up a sharp dispute over what happened that morning.
Human Toll
The truck Longoria was driving that morning — with his teenage son in the passenger seat — now bears a smashed passenger-side window and visible bullet holes. According to his attorneys, the incident has left the family shaken. Longoria has lived in the United States for 23 years, his three children are U.S. citizens, and the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice says he has no criminal record.
Conflicting Accounts
DHS Version: In an August 17 summary, DHS said agents attempted a traffic stop during a “targeted immigration enforcement operation.” The agency alleges Longoria refused to exit his vehicle, then drove toward officers, striking two. Agents fired multiple shots at the vehicle, which had three occupants. No one inside was injured, and Longoria fled the scene.
Longoria’s Version: Longoria’s attorneys say he was driving home when an unmarked car stopped him. Several masked individuals in different uniforms, some with guns drawn, approached without identifying themselves or presenting a warrant. They allegedly smashed his truck’s window and attempted to gain entry before shots were fired into the passenger side, where his son was sitting.
Legal and Community Response
At an August 22 news conference, attorneys Jason Sanchez and Robbie Munoz called on city, county, and state officials to investigate. Sanchez questioned the agents’ actions, asking why they fired if they feared being run over, why shots were directed at the passenger side, and why no investigation had yet been launched.
The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice condemned the incident as an abuse of power and urged greater accountability in federal immigration enforcement.
Why This Matters
The shooting has intensified scrutiny of federal enforcement tactics in immigrant communities. The absence of a confirmed investigation, combined with conflicting narratives, raises questions about transparency, due process, and the standards governing use of force by federal agents.
What Lies Ahead
CBS News Los Angeles has reached out to DHS for comment but has not received a response. Attorneys say they will continue pressing for an independent review of the incident.
