A chaotic rush-hour arrest in Hyattsville, Maryland, escalated when an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent dropped his pistol and briefly aimed it toward onlookers, as captured in a viral video. The dramatic incident, which unfolded just miles from the White House, has drawn widespread criticism and alarm over the agent’s handling of his firearm in the middle of a busy intersection.
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Chaotic Scene Captured
The video, filmed by local photographer Raphi Talisman, shows traffic halted as ICE officers pinned a man resisting arrest on the asphalt. Talisman said he was returning from dropping off his child at school when he witnessed the confrontation, recording nearly ten minutes of footage that has since been widely circulated on social media.
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Violent Struggle on Asphalt
In the opening moments, an officer is heard yelling, “Give me your f–king arm.” Two agents, one wearing a balaclava and vest labeled “POLICE ICE,” grappled with the suspect, who shouted for help in both English and Spanish. The man resisted placing his left arm behind his back, forcing officers to apply more pressure to restrain him.
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Gun Dropped Mid-Arrest
Amid the struggle, an ICE agent’s pistol slipped to the ground. The detainee attempted to reach for the weapon and struck it, sending it several feet away. The agent immediately dove for the firearm, recovering it but in the process momentarily pointing it toward nearby witnesses. Another agent also drew his weapon before holstering it seconds later.
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Onlookers Express Outrage
The officer who dropped the gun kept it in his hand throughout the arrest, drawing sharp criticism from bystanders. Witnesses shouted at the officers, with one man taunting, “What, you going to shoot me? Go ahead, shoot me.” Despite repeated pleas to lower the weapon, the agent refused, fueling tension between officers and the crowd.
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Suspect’s Desperate Pleas
During the confrontation, the man repeatedly called out, “I love America,” and “I love you, America,” even claiming he was “born in D.C.” He pleaded for someone to contact his wife while struggling against the officers. At one point, an agent warned, “Bro, I do not want to break your arm,” as the struggle dragged on.
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Agent Confronts Witnesses
Midway through the video, the agent who lost his weapon turned to onlookers, asking sarcastically, “Do you want to take him home? Do you want him? Are you going to take care of him?” When pressed on why the suspect was being arrested, the agent shouted back, “Because he is a criminal. How about that?”
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Backup Units Arrive
After several minutes of chaos, more ICE officers arrived on the scene. Together, they subdued the suspect and placed him into a Dodge minivan with Florida plates. As he was led away, the detainee continued shouting for someone to call his wife. The balaclava-clad agent then walked toward the crowd, appearing to taunt them with, “Want to be next?”
Calls for Accountability
Talisman, who filmed the incident, described the arrest as “brutal and by ICE.” He said he has alerted his congressional representatives, including Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, and Representative Glenn Ivey, demanding answers about the conduct displayed during the arrest. ICE has not released details about the case and has declined to comment.