ICE Agent Faces Arrest After Fresno Lawn Shooting

A 72-year-old man shot an off-duty ICE agent before 3:30 am Friday at a home in central Fresno, California, after police said the agent assaulted the man and his daughter. The agent was hospitalized, arrested, and remains in Fresno Police custody.

According to the Fresno Police Department, the incident began when a woman found 32-year-old David Gonzalez sleeping on her front lawn at a home near Dudley and Broadway. Police said her father went outside to ask Gonzalez to leave, and Gonzalez appeared intoxicated before assaulting him.

Police said the daughter attempted to protect her father and was also physically attacked. Officers said the 72-year-old homeowner feared for his safety and used a legally owned firearm to shoot Gonzalez, who was later taken to a hospital in serious condition.

Detectives recovered a handgun from the home's porch for processing, according to Fresno Police. The department said Gonzalez is a federal agent from Texas assigned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and faces a felony assault charge.

Neighbor Kimberly Lindsay described the family involved in the incident and their long connection to the neighborhood.

"They were nice, nice people. They've been here at that house well over 20 years. We've been here about 21 years. They've been here before we were," said Kimberly Lindsay, neighbor.

The man who shot Gonzalez is not facing charges, according to Fresno Police. City Councilmember Mike Karbassi criticized the situation and called for ICE operations in the Central Valley to be suspended.

"Enough is enough. We've endured days of fear-stricken enforcement that has now tilted into full-bore violence. I am calling on ICE to suspend its ongoing operations in the Central Valley," said Mike Karbassi, Fresno City Councilmember.

Fresno Police said there were conflicting claims about whether ICE requested custody of Gonzalez after the shooting. Councilmember Miguel Arias said he believed such a request would violate jurisdictional rules.

"It's unprecedented behavior. It's completely out of norm. It's in violation of state, local, and federal jurisdictional rules and it's quite concerning to us," said Miguel Arias, Fresno City Councilmember.

Fresno Police Chief Mindy Casto rejected claims that ICE asked the department to release Gonzalez from custody. The department said ICE officials contacted police regarding a personnel investigation while Gonzalez remained in police custody.

"No such request was made. His supervisors are aware that he will stay in our custody," said Mindy Casto, Fresno Police Chief.