Chaos erupted in Paramount, California, as a man now faces serious federal charges for allegedly hurling rocks at Border Patrol vehicles during a heated protest.
Elpidio Reyna, 40, stands accused of assaulting a federal officer amid violent anti-ICE demonstrations in Los Angeles, an incident that injured an agent and sparked a massive manhunt with a $50,000 FBI reward, Breitbart reported.
The trouble began the day before Saturday’s clash, with tense standoffs between ICE agents and protesters attempting to disrupt immigration enforcement operations in Paramount.
On Saturday, the situation boiled over as leftist demonstrators gathered near a Border Patrol staging area, some resorting to throwing glass bottles and chunks of cement at agents.
Border Patrol responded with tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd, but not before one agent suffered severe injuries from a rock strike.
Reyna emerged as the prime suspect in this assault, with the FBI piecing together his identity through social media posts and a Fox report.
On Monday, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli released images and video footage allegedly capturing Reyna in the act of targeting law enforcement vehicles.
“He thinks he’s untouchable,” Essayli declared, adding a stern warning that federal might is now fully engaged in the hunt. Well, turns out actions have consequences, and underestimating Uncle Sam might just be Reyna’s biggest misstep.
“Elpidio Reyna can run, but he can’t hide,” Essayli doubled down, making it clear that no corner will be left unchecked. Such bravado from a suspect often fades when the full weight of justice comes knocking.
Reyna now faces a charge of assault on a federal officer, which could land him behind bars for up to eight years if convicted.
Essayli described the incident as a “brazen attack” that risked deadly outcomes, a sobering reminder of the dangers law enforcement faces while maintaining order. It’s hard to argue with that assessment when agents are dodging projectiles just to do their jobs.
Meanwhile, the FBI has put up a hefty $50,000 reward for tips leading to Reyna’s capture, signaling how seriously they’re taking this case.
Beyond Paramount, the unrest has spiraled across Los Angeles, with anti-law enforcement protesters burning American flags, waving foreign ones, attacking police, vandalizing property, and looting businesses.
The chaos has even spread to cities like Austin, Dallas, and San Francisco, showing how quickly localized frustration can ignite a wider firestorm. While dissent is a right, turning to violence and destruction undermines any legitimate grievance.
President Donald Trump’s administration has stepped in with force, deploying the National Guard and hundreds of Marines to quell the rioting in Los Angeles, a move that underscores the gravity of the situation. Despite the progressive pushback, ICE continues its mission, recently apprehending individuals described by DHS as the “worst of the worst” criminal unauthorized migrants. As Tricia McLaughlin of DHS noted, “These heinous criminals, including child abusers,” were among those detained, a fact that should give pause to those quick to paint enforcement as the villain.
