DHS reports a U.S. citizen allegedly accelerated a van at officers near University City in Charlotte during federal immigration enforcement, then fled in a "dangerous high-speed chase." Agents boxed in and arrested the driver; one officer was injured and a firearm was found in the van. The suspect has prior arrests for resisting officers and disruptive conduct. The raids are part of broader federal enforcement actions and follow other recent operations in multiple states.
Officer Injured After Suspect Rams Law‑Enforcement Vehicles During Charlotte Immigration Raids; Arrest Follows High‑Speed Chase
DHS reports a U.S. citizen allegedly accelerated a van at officers near University City in Charlotte during federal immigration enforcement, then fled in a "dangerous high-speed chase." Agents boxed in and arrested the driver; one officer was injured and a firearm was found in the van. The suspect has prior arrests for resisting officers and disruptive conduct. The raids are part of broader federal enforcement actions and follow other recent operations in multiple states.
04:05 PM, 11/17/2025Security
Officer injured after suspect rams law-enforcement vehicles during Charlotte immigration raids
A law enforcement officer was injured Sunday afternoon when a man allegedly drove a van toward officers and struck multiple police vehicles during a federal enforcement operation in Charlotte, authorities said. The incident occurred near the University City area as immigration raids were underway across the city.
According to a post from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on X, the driver — identified as a U.S. citizen — accelerated his van at officers who were conducting the operation. The driver then fled, prompting what DHS described as a "dangerous high-speed chase through a densely populated area" before agents were able to box the vehicle in.
"During the chase, he attempted to ram into law enforcement vehicles — posing a serious public safety threat," DHS said. "As agents were boxing him in, the driver proceeded to ram law enforcement vehicles in an attempt to escape."
Agents ultimately boxed the van in and arrested the suspect. One officer sustained injuries in the incident, DHS said. After the arrest, officials discovered a firearm inside the vehicle. DHS also noted the suspect has prior arrests for resisting law enforcement, public disturbance and intoxication or disruptive conduct.
This encounter unfolded as federal agents carried out a major immigration enforcement operation across Charlotte. The Associated Press reported that U.S. Border Patrol agents were seen making arrests throughout the city, which has a population of more than 900,000.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of DHS described the operation as part of a broader federal effort "to keep Americans safe and remove public-safety threats." The Charlotte actions come months after the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard a Charlotte light-rail train and follow similar enforcement activities recently conducted in California, Illinois, Oregon and New York.
DHS did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment from news outlets.