Video shows masked Border Patrol agents breaking the window of Willy Aceituno’s truck in Charlotte on Nov. 15, even after he said he had been a U.S. citizen for six years. Aceituno says he was handcuffed and detained for about 20 minutes before producing documents and being released. CBP said the man acted erratically and later admitted attempting to distract officers to help others; the agency says its officers followed training. The enforcement operation has sparked criticism from local leaders and large protests.
Masked Border Patrol Agents Filmed Smashing U.S. Citizen’s Truck Window During Charlotte Enforcement Operation
Video shows masked Border Patrol agents breaking the window of Willy Aceituno’s truck in Charlotte on Nov. 15, even after he said he had been a U.S. citizen for six years. Aceituno says he was handcuffed and detained for about 20 minutes before producing documents and being released. CBP said the man acted erratically and later admitted attempting to distract officers to help others; the agency says its officers followed training. The enforcement operation has sparked criticism from local leaders and large protests.
07:57 PM, 11/18/2025Politics
Masked Border Patrol Agents Smash U.S. Citizen’s Truck Window in Charlotte
On the morning of Saturday, Nov. 15, Willy Wender Aceituno Medina — a Honduran-born man who says he became a U.S. citizen six years ago — says masked Border Patrol agents shattered the passenger-side window of his pickup in a Charlotte parking lot, according to video and multiple news reports.
Aceituno told The New York Times and the Associated Press that agents first stopped him as he was heading to breakfast before his construction shift. He said officers questioned his citizenship; after roughly 15 minutes he told them he was a naturalized U.S. citizen and was initially allowed to leave.
Minutes later, Aceituno says a different group of agents approached his truck, ordered him out and demanded proof of birthplace. Video shared with news outlets captures Aceituno warning, "If you break it, you will pay for it," and then shows agents breaking the truck window. In the footage he asks an agent on camera, "Who did you do this, sir?"
Aceituno says he was handcuffed and detained in another vehicle for about 20 minutes before producing documentation and being released. Later video shot inside his truck shows broken glass scattered across the seats and scrapes on his elbow; Aceituno is heard saying, "What's left of my poor car. Oh man."
CBP statement: When reached for comment, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said agents were conducting an immigration enforcement operation in Charlotte. The agency alleged the individual "acted increasingly erratic," refused lawful commands and later admitted in an interview that he attempted to distract officers to allow others to evade immigration laws. CBP said officers followed training protocols and released the man after verifying his status.
The operation is part of intensified federal immigration enforcement tied to the Trump administration; the Department of Homeland Security reported more than 130 arrests in the area that weekend, according to The Charlotte Observer. The raids prompted criticism from local officials, including Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, and drew hundreds of protesters to Uptown Charlotte.
Sources: The New York Times, Associated Press, The Charlotte Observer, People, WBTV.