Vigil for Los Angeles Father Shot by ICE Officer in Northridge

Candlelight Vigil Honors Keith Porter, Shot by Off-Duty ICE Officer

Northridge, CA – A candlelight vigil was held on Sunday evening in Northridge to commemorate Keith Porter, a 43-year-old father of two, who was shot and killed by an off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer following celebratory gunfire on New Year’s Eve.

According to law enforcement reports, Porter was outside his apartment complex, firing an AR-15-style rifle into the air when the officer, who resides in the same complex, heard the shots and intervened. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that the officer exchanged gunfire with Porter, resulting in Porter’s death at the scene. The officer reportedly sustained no injuries.

"He was a great Black man. He was a girl dad," said Porter’s cousin, Jsane Tyler, expressing the loss felt by family and friends. As attendees gathered, chants of "Say his name, Keith Porter" filled the air, highlighting the community’s grief and their calls for an independent investigation into the incident.

DHS characterized the officer’s actions as a brave response to an active shooter situation, emphasizing the need to protect both the officer and those around him. In a statement, DHS noted, "In order to protect his life and that of others, he was forced to defensively use his weapon and exchanged gunfire with the shooter."

However, the circumstances surrounding the shooting have sparked controversy. An LAPD report claims the officer identified himself as law enforcement and contended that Porter fired toward him, which led to the return fire. Family members and activists, however, dispute this narrative, asserting that Porter did not pose a threat. Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, asserted, "This is not someone who was out to harm anyone," condemning the portrayal of Porter in the allegations.

At the vigil, community members acknowledged the dangers of celebratory gunfire, but questioned whether the response was proportionate. Neighbor Carter Nunez remarked, "It’s not the smartest thing to do if that was the case. But regardless, is that punishable by death? I don’t think so. We have due process in this county."

As the evening progressed, attendees reiterated their demands for a thorough investigation into the shooting. Tyler pointed out the protocol that the officer should have followed while off duty: "He was off duty. Protocol states he was supposed to stay in that house and call 911 if he thought Keith was a danger to anyone else."

In response to community concerns, Black Lives Matter Los Angeles is scheduled to meet with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Monday to seek further accountability in the case.