Federal agents detained a teenage student in Little Village who was on his way to school after he got a rapid response call for immigration actions.
The teen was among four students going to Benito Juarez High School in Pilsen, but not one of them ever arrived at their destination. One of the students was detained in Little Village, while another was reportedly hurt during a scuffle with law enforcement officers.
Teenage Student Detained by Federal Agents
Neighbors shared video footage on social media that showed the incident unfold, involving what is believed to be a junior from Benito Juarez High School. The student can be seen fighting to get out of the hands of federal agents on Thursday morning.
After the incident, Chicago teachers and city leaders said that the group of students were going to school in Pilsen when they received a "rapid response" call about federal agents at the discount shopping center at 26th and Whipple, according to CBS News.
City leaders added that the students went to help protest, and when they arrived at the scene, there was already a large crowd of people. Video footage also showed a confrontation between several federal agents and the student who was detained, as well as the crowd that surrounded them.
In the video, the sound of what seems to be pepper bullets being fired can be heard in the background. A separate piece of footage that was shared by a city alderman showed one of the students zip-tied and detained before the agents took him into custody.
During the confrontation between federal agents and the large crowd, the former deployed tear gas and pepper spray at protesters. While a second student tried to intervene with the agents, he was also taken into custody, the Block Club Chicago reported.
Leaving a Student "Bloodied"
Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez, who represents the area, said during a press conference that one of the students detained was released at the scene after he was left "bloodied." On the other hand, federal agents reportedly took away and released the other student hours after the initial altercation.
The incident marks the second day in a row that clashes between federal agents and community members unfolded in the streets of Little Village. Sigcho-Lopez noted that as one agent held a teargas canister in his hand, he did not hesitate to deploy another one.
Benito Juarez High School principal Juan Carlon Ocon said that the situation created many fears and concerns within their community. He wanted to emphasize that they are taking the matter "extremely seriously," as per NBC Chicago.
