ICE Vehicle Ramming remains under investigation after federal authorities said a man sought by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement allegedly struck an agency vehicle during an attempted arrest in Pennsylvania. The incident prompted one federal agent to fire a weapon as the suspect fled the scene and remains at large.
Federal officials identified the suspect as Clemente Lara-Hernandez, a Mexican national whom ICE officers attempted to arrest in Harrisburg at approximately 6:15 a.m. According to the agency, officers approached Lara-Hernandez to take him into custody when he allegedly resisted arrest.
Authorities said the confrontation quickly escalated after Lara-Hernandez allegedly used his vehicle to strike an ICE vehicle. Officials stated that he deliberately drove into the federal vehicle during the encounter, creating what they described as a dangerous situation for officers at the scene.
After the collision, authorities said Lara-Hernandez drove the wrong way on a one-way street while attempting to escape. During the pursuit, officials said he also crashed into a civilian vehicle before leaving the area.
ICE stated that one federal agent discharged a firearm during the incident. Authorities reported that no one appeared to have been struck by the gunfire. Another ICE agent suffered a cut to the hand during the encounter and received treatment for the injury.
Officials confirmed that Lara-Hernandez escaped following the incident and remained at large as investigators continued searching for him. Authorities have not announced any additional arrests connected to the case.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Local police responded to secure the area after the confrontation but did not participate in the attempted arrest, according to authorities.
Federal investigators have not released additional details regarding the shooting. Officials stated that longstanding Justice Department policy prevents public comment about the nature of ongoing investigations.
ICE said Lara-Hernandez has a prior criminal history that includes assault, a domestic violence incident, and a hit-and-run offense. The agency cited those previous offenses while describing the attempted enforcement operation.
Authorities have not released further information regarding the status of the civilian involved in the vehicle crash. Officials also have not announced additional details about property damage resulting from the incident.
The investigation continues as federal authorities review both the attempted arrest and the use of force during the confrontation. Investigators are expected to examine evidence surrounding the vehicle collision, the officer-involved shooting, and the suspect’s escape.
ICE also used the incident to highlight what it described as increasing dangers faced by its enforcement personnel. According to the agency, assaults against ICE officers have increased by more than 1,300 percent, vehicular attacks have risen by more than 3,300 percent, and death threats have increased by approximately 8,000 percent during immigration enforcement operations.
The agency said officers continue carrying out enforcement duties despite those reported risks. Officials emphasized that law enforcement personnel regularly encounter dangerous situations while attempting to arrest individuals wanted by federal authorities.
ICE Vehicle Ramming remains an active federal investigation as authorities continue searching for the suspect and reviewing the events surrounding the attempted arrest. Officials have not announced when additional information about the case or the ongoing investigation will become available.
