An off-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, Brian Palacios, has been identified in connection with a fatal shooting on New Year's Eve in Northridge, Los Angeles. Keith Porter Jr., 43, was killed in the incident. The incident is currently under investigation by local and federal authorities. Palacios' attorney asserts he acted in self-defense, while Porter's family and advocates suggest he was firing celebratory gunshots. Past allegations of abuse and racist remarks against Palacios have also surfaced in court documents.
Incident Overview
- Brian Palacios, an off-duty ICE officer, shot Keith Porter Jr. on the night of December 31 at an apartment complex in Northridge.
- Palacios' attorney, Stacie Halpern, stated that her client acted in self-defense.
- Friends and advocates of Porter Jr. have indicated he was firing a gun into the air as part of New Year's celebrations.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, initially stated an off-duty ICE agent "bravely responded to an active shooter situation."
- The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed no other injuries occurred.
- The L.A. County district attorney's Justice System Integrity Division is investigating the incident, as is standard for killings by law enforcement officers.
- There is no body camera footage as Palacios was off-duty, and security cameras at the apartment complex did not capture the shooting.
- Unidentified law enforcement officials reported Porter was found with a rifle and that evidence of two bullet impacts behind the agent's position suggests Porter fired first. The agent reportedly identified himself as law enforcement before engaging.
Allegations Against Palacios
- Court documents from a custody dispute allege Palacios previously whipped his sons with a belt and made racist and homophobic remarks.
- Halpern denied these allegations, citing L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and LAPD reports that deemed child abuse claims "unfounded."
- Despite these reports, a Los Angeles County judge barred Palacios from contact with his ex-wife's children in February and June of last year due to alleged abusive conduct.
- Omar Escorcia, the ex-husband of Palacios' girlfriend, claimed Palacios made derogatory comments about Latino people and once appeared at a youth soccer game with a visible, unholstered gun. Halpern denied these claims.
Reactions and Investigations
- Jamal Tooson, an attorney for Porter's family, raised concerns about Palacios' past and suggested the killing might be a racially motivated hate crime, considering an independent investigation by the California Attorney General.
- Community activists and residents have called for the public release of the agent's name, highlighting that federal agencies do not have the same disclosure requirements as local police.
- This incident is one of several recent cases involving ICE agents using deadly force against U.S. citizens.