(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — A Colorado activist group is demanding an investigation following an incident where a vehicle was used to attack ICE agents near Black Forest.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Francisco Zapata-Pacheco, a fugitive suspected of being in the country illegally. Officials said Zapata-Pacheco is cooperating with law enforcement and remains in ICE custody pending immigration and criminal proceedings. Meanwhile, Jose Mendez-Chavez, also involved in the incident, is still at large and wanted for assault on a federal officer.
“I heard all of this law enforcement, the police, and ambulances, it was insane, probably 20 to 30 cars near our house,” said Heather Phillips, a local rancher who posted a viral TikTok video of the incident.
ICE reports that Mendez-Chavez, from Mexico, has prior convictions for child abuse and domestic violence, and has entered the country illegally six times. He allegedly drove the car that attempted to hit ICE agents during an operation at a construction site.
The Colorado Rapid Response Network (CoRRN), a state activist group, is demanding an investigation into the operation, accusing ICE of lying about the danger to its agents. They demand the immediate release of all body camera and dashcam footage from the operation, a full, independent investigation into ICE’s use of force, and want all collaborations between the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office to end. The group claims ICE scared several work crews and shot at people attempting to flee.
The viral video posted on TikTok shows four unidentified men running through a yard, though it’s unclear if they are connected to the operation.
Phillips, who lives in the area, described seeing multiple people running through her property during the operation. “I’m like, on the top of our hill I see these four guys… it was like the frikcking like El Paso, Texas, border,” she said.
Ray Green, who lives in the area, expressed support for ICE’s presence, stating, “If they’re doing the job right, they’ve done their investigation. They’ve vetted that out properly, I’m all for it, and hopefully it’s always going to be done peacefully so that no one is hurt.”
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