Calls for Justice After Off‑Duty ICE Officer Fatally Shoots Los Angeles Father on New Year’s Eve

Family members, community organizers and local officials are calling for criminal charges after an off‑duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed 43‑year‑old Keith Porter Jr. outside his Northridge apartment complex on New Year’s Eve.

What Happened

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and federal statements say officers responded to 911 calls around 10:40 p.m. and found Porter "on the ground." He was later pronounced dead. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have said the off‑duty officer, who lives at the complex, "exchanged gunfire" with Porter and was not injured.

Porter’s family, their attorney Jamal Tooson, and local activists dispute that account. Tooson has said Porter may have fired celebratory rounds and that witnesses did not hear the officer identify himself. He also said he is unaware of corroborating evidence that there was an exchange of gunfire, such as shell casings showing shots fired toward the officer.

Community Reaction

Protests, vigils and public demonstrations have followed the shooting. Organizers including Black Lives Matter Los Angeles have pressed the LAPD to disclose the officer’s name and urged prosecutors to pursue charges. Demonstrators have linked Porter’s death to a broader pattern of contested ICE shootings, pointing to a recent fatal incident in Minneapolis that also drew national outrage and scrutiny of DHS statements.

“I’m heartbroken and I know that ache will never go away,” said Wanda Turner, a longtime family friend. “The officer needs to surrender and do what’s right. I want him charged.”

Investigation And Accountability

The Los Angeles district attorney’s office said prosecutors responded to the scene and will review evidence produced by the investigation to determine whether the officer acted lawfully. Local elected officials and activists are calling for transparency from federal agencies and for the immediate release of information about the officer’s identity and actions.

Advocates have cited concerns about DHS credibility after it initially described a separate fatal encounter in Minneapolis using terms and characterizations that local officials later disputed. Those disputes have fueled demands for an independent, thorough review of the Porter shooting and of how federal agents operating in local communities are overseen.

Family Remembrances

Porter, a father of two daughters (ages 10 and 20), is remembered by friends and family as a devoted parent and a warm, humorous presence. His mother, Franceola Armstrong, recalled his daily calls and described him as having a big heart. Close friends have organized vigils and shared memories of Porter’s life and community involvement.

Greg Risling, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles district attorney, said the office will review all evidence disclosed by investigators to determine whether charges are warranted.

What Remains Unclear

• No video of the shooting has been made public and officials have released limited details.
• It is unclear whether a formal identification by the officer occurred, whether shell casings or other physical evidence confirm an exchange of gunfire, or whether the officer has been tested for sobriety or surrendered his service weapon.

The case continues to draw attention as community members press for answers, transparency and accountability while prosecutors and investigators review the facts.