Family of Los Angeles Dad Shot by Off-Duty ICE Officer Shares Their Story
Northridge Shooting Incident Sparks Calls for Investigation
LOS ANGELES – The family of Keith Porter, a 43-year-old father of two, is demanding a comprehensive inquiry into his fatal shooting by an off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer on New Year’s Eve. According to reports, Porter was firing celebratory gunshots outside his apartment complex when the incident occurred.
Porter’s attorney, Jamal Tooson, questions the justification for the shooting, noting that there is insufficient evidence to support claims that Porter posed a threat. “We have not seen evidence that he fired toward the officer,” Tooson stated, emphasizing the family’s demand for law enforcement to interview witnesses present that night.
Witness accounts and the family’s insistence on a thorough investigation highlight their concerns surrounding the circumstances of the shooting. "We’re here to demand justice,” Tooson added. He suggested that the situation could have been avoided altogether had the off-duty agent chosen to remain in his apartment until the arrival of trained LAPD officers.
Porter’s mother, Franceola Armstrong, expressed her grief, stating, “His heart, oh my gosh, he just loves so deeply. There is no one he came in contact with that just didn’t love him.” Her reflections on her son’s character serve to underscore the family’s emotional turmoil in the face of this tragedy.
In their narrative, law enforcement reported that Porter fired shots into the air using an AR-15-style rifle. The LAPD’s account indicates that the off-duty officer confronted Porter, identified himself, and claimed Porter fired at him, prompting the officer to return fire.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that the off-duty ICE officer acted in self-defense. In their official statement, DHS emphasized the officer’s role in addressing what they described as an active shooter situation, adding that the officer was not injured and that the incident is under ongoing investigation by the LAPD.
Despite this assertion, Tooson remains skeptical. “According to his version, Keith shot three shots toward him," he said, questioning the absence of shell casings that might substantiate those claims. Currently, Porter’s family and their attorney are still searching for witnesses to confirm whether he fired at the officer.
As the investigation unfolds, the LAPD has yet to issue any additional updates, and the identity of the off-duty ICE officer remains undisclosed.
