Manes condemns Silverio's killing as family seeks compensation
Jonathan ManesMacArthur Justice Center attorney representing the family
Jonathan Manes condemned the killing of Silverio Villegas Gonzalez as unnecessary while announcing the family's administrative compensation claim.
“His life was cut short senselessly and unnecessarily by our government.”
Interview
Reporting
Other statements by Jonathan Manes in this case
Every statement by Jonathan Manes
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
Interview
About this source
AP reports the family's administrative claim and interviews counsel about compensation and anticipated litigation. The reporter says DHS receipt was not immediately confirmed. The report is separate from WTTW's account.
Reporting
About this source
WTTW reports the family's October 8 administrative compensation claim and quotes attorney Jonathan Manes. The allegations are the family's legal position; the filing is distinct from a court lawsuit.
Before the quotation
WTTW reports that the family's attorneys filed an administrative claim. It attributes the quoted statement to Manes, who first describes Silverio as a devoted father.
After the quotation
Manes then describes lasting harm to the family. The claim alleges unlawful force; the article explains that an administrative process precedes a possible court lawsuit.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
Manes expressly describes the killing as senseless and unnecessary, rejecting the justification for it.
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More from this case
Read the full caseAmnesty condemns the shooting
Amnesty International
“unlawful use of lethal force”Read statement
Lawrence Benito calls Villegas González’s death a murder
“Whether it be the apartment raids in South Shore, the shooting of Marimar Martinez in Brighton Park, or the murder of Silverio Villegas González, it’s been proven that ICE does NOT keep us safe - they are designed to intimidate communities of color and deport as many people as possible.”Read statement
Jesús García calls the Silverio shooting a murder
“In both cases, ICE has lied about the facts that led to these murders, just like they lied when they killed Silverio Villegas Gonzalez and shot Marimar Martinez in Chicago last year.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Manes condemns Silverio's killing as family seeks compensation". First published: 2026-10-08. Last updated: 2026-10-08. https://disputeindex.com/events/5214-jonathan-manes-condemned-the-killing-of-silverio-villegas