State officials investigating ICE-involved shooting in Roxbury

State officials are investigating an incident involving immigration officials where a firearm was discharged, but nobody was injured, acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said Tuesday evening.

Davenport said local officials and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability are investigating a shooting involving agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Her announcement did not specify where the shooting occurred, how many shots were fired, or what type of operation ICE was performing.

She said local law enforcement had secured the scene and that the Attorney General’s Office was “in touch” with federal law enforcement.

“We recognize that matters of this nature raise concerns within our communities,” Davenport said. “Public safety remains our top priority. As Acting Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, it is my duty to protect the safety of residents of this state and uphold the Constitution. I will do everything in my power to fulfill this responsibility.”

In a statement, an unnamed Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said ICE agents were executing a removal order on Jesus Fabian Lopez-Banegas, who they say is an undocumented immigrant from Honduras with a history of drug trafficking charges, drug possession, and driving under the influence. The spokesperson accused Lopez-Banegas of attempting to evade arrest and said he “rammed” a law enforcement vehicle, prompting an ICE agent to shoot out the tires of his vehicle.

ICE has faced increased scrutiny after the killings of two people in Minneapolis during immigration operations.

ICE officials are considering turning a warehouse in Roxbury into a migrant detention center, sparking resistance from locals, including the GOP-controlled township council. Democratic members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem asking her agency to “cease any efforts to establish new detention facilities” in the Garden State.

This article was updated at 9:41 p.m. with comment from the DHS.