One Person Injured by Pepper Spray During Confrontation with ICE Agents in Santa Barbara, According to Police
ICE Agents and Community Members Cl clash in Santa Barbara, Resulting in Injury
An altercation involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and local residents in Santa Barbara left at least one individual injured, according to police reports from Wednesday.
Santa Barbara Police Department officers responded to Salinas Street and Carpinteria Street around 7:17 a.m. after receiving reports of a large altercation. Upon arrival, officers encountered a significant gathering that included both ICE agents and community members in what was described as a tense situation.
"The Santa Barbara Police Department had no prior knowledge that the ICE agents would be at that location or anywhere in the City of Santa Barbara today," a spokesperson for the department stated.
Efforts by police to defuse the situation resulted in ICE agents leaving the area. Before officers arrived, one individual was reported to have been pepper-sprayed and required medical assistance from the Santa Barbara Fire Department. Additionally, another person claimed to have been pushed by an ICE agent.
Police gathered statements from community members regarding the incident before Santa Barbara personnel arrived. Clarifying their role, the police department noted, "(The) department’s role at the scene was limited to medical aid coordination, information gathering, and traffic management."
No arrests were made by the Santa Barbara Police Department, and it remains unclear whether ICE agents detained any individuals during the incident. NBC Los Angeles has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for further information.
