Kristi Noem says the agent’s life was at risk
Kristi NoemU.S. secretary of homeland security
Noem said the agent’s life had been endangered and that he suffered serious injuries during the encounter.
“His life was put at risk and he sustained serious injuries.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Was ICE justified in fatally shooting Silverio Villegas González?
On September 12, 2025, an unnamed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent fatally shot Silverio Villegas González during a vehicle stop in Franklin Park, Illinois. The Department of Homeland Security said Villegas González refused commands, drove at officers, struck and dragged one agent a significant distance, and caused the shooter to fear for his life. An Illinois Accountability Commission review of surveillance and police body-camera footage said Villegas González reversed about 50 feet and then drove into an open lane away from the agents before two shots were heard. The commission said the available evidence did not establish whether or how an agent was hit or dragged, and found reasonable cause to investigate a shooting without apparent justification. Illinois State Police opened an investigation in May 2026. The dispute is whether Villegas González posed an imminent threat when the agent fired.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Associated Press report based on police body-camera footage and interviews, including positions from ICE official Marcos Charles, Secretary Kristi Noem and Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
DHS said Villegas González struck and dragged the agent with his vehicle.
After the quotation
Released police footage subsequently showed the agent describing his injuries as nothing major.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
She reinforces the imminent-threat premise used to justify the agent’s decision to fire.
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Read the full caseManes condemns Silverio's killing as family seeks compensation
“His life was cut short senselessly and unnecessarily by our government.”Read statement
Amnesty condemns the shooting
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“unlawful use of lethal force”Read statement
Family attorney Jonathan Manes condemns federal silence on shooter's identity
“It's shocking that a year after the shooting, the federal government has refused to release any information about ICE officers that took a man's life on our streets... They haven't even provided the name of the officer who shot Silverio and killed him.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Kristi Noem says the agent’s life was at risk". First published: 2026-09-22. Last updated: 2026-09-22. https://disputeindex.com/events/1487-noem-said-the-agent-s-life-had-been