By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A Mexican national has been charged with illegally possessing and firing a loaded handgun in Chicago near immigration enforcement actions last year.

Federal prosecutors allege Hector Gomez brandished a firearm at a victim on Nov. 8, 2025. Shortly after, Chicago police officers found the gun in Gomez’s lap while he was parked in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago.

Four hours earlier, prosecutors allege “at least two rounds were discharged from the same gun about two blocks from the parking lot.”

“The rounds were fired in the proximity of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents who were engaged in the performance of their official duties,” the indictment said.

Gomez had previously been convicted of a felony and was removed from the United States on at least four different occasions between 2008 and 2015, prosecutors said.

Safety of federal officers enforcing federal immigration law has continued to be an issue. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says attacks on ICE officers is up over 1,300%.

Wednesday in Bloomington, Minnesota, a female driver was shot to death by a federal officer. Videos show the driver driving into the officer. Federal immigration officials were in the area conducting operations.

“She was trying to ram this guy with her car. He shot back. He defended himself. He’s already been seriously wounded in law enforcement operations before,” said Vice President J.D. Vance of the officer in Minnesota. “And everybody who’s been repeating the lie that this is some innocent woman who was out for a drive in Minneapolis when a law enforcement officer shot at her, you should be ashamed of yourselves, every single one of you.”

ICE reports car attacks on officers and agents is up over 3,200% since last year.