A federal agent discharged a firearm during an arrest operation in Willowbrook, California, on Wednesday morning, resulting in the injury of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated the operation targeted William Eduardo Moran Carballo, identified by the agency as a "violent criminal illegal alien" from El Salvador with a standing removal order. Carballo was apprehended following an attempt to evade arrest.
Incident Overview
The incident occurred near the intersection of 126th Street and Mona Boulevard in Willowbrook, an unincorporated neighborhood bordering Compton in south Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) was notified by the U.S. Border Patrol shortly after 7 a.m. that an operation was underway in the area, with the shooting occurring soon thereafter.
Targeted Operation and Confrontation
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that the operation originated in Compton and aimed to apprehend William Eduardo Moran Carballo. DHS identified Carballo as being involved in human smuggling and noted his two prior arrests for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant. An immigration judge had issued a final order for Carballo's removal in 2019.
According to DHS, Carballo attempted to evade arrest by "weaponizing his vehicle and ramming law enforcement." In response to this action, a federal agent discharged a weapon. Carballo was not struck by the gunfire and subsequently attempted to flee on foot before being apprehended by law enforcement.
Injuries and Scene
Carballo sustained no injuries during the incident. However, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer was injured. Specific details regarding the extent and nature of the officer's injuries were not immediately available.
Responding authorities included multiple federal agents, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies, and California Highway Patrol officers. Deputies arrived at the scene around 7:25 a.m. Observations at the scene included a damaged BMW sedan crashed into a curb, with a deployed airbag visible on the driver’s side. Onlookers gathered near the police tape blocking access to the area.
DHS indicated that the situation is ongoing, with further information anticipated.