ICE Shooting: Portuguese Man Injured in Maryland

ICE Agents Shoot Portuguese Man in Maryland Following Alleged Assault

A shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents left a Portuguese man hospitalized on Christmas Eve after authorities say he attempted to run over officers with a van.The incident,which occurred in Glen Burnie,Maryland,is now under inquiry by both the FBI and ICE’s internal affairs division.

On Wednesday, december 24, 2025, at approximately 11 a.m., ICE agents were conducting a “targeted police operation” in the Parke West neighborhood when they identified tiago Alexandre Sousa Martins as a target. Authorities stated that Sousa Martins,the driver of a van,was in the United States on an expired visa.

Did you know? – ICE agents have the authority to make arrests without a warrant in certain immigration-related cases, particularly when investigating individuals suspected of violating immigration laws or posing a threat to public safety.

Confrontation and Shooting

According to an ICE spokesperson, agents approached the van and requested that Sousa Martins turn off the engine. “He drove his van directly toward the ICE agents, appearing to be trying to run them over,” the spokesperson stated, as reported by The Baltimore Banner.

Fearing for their safety and the safety of the public, officers discharged their firearms. Sousa Martins afterward crashed the van between two buildings, resulting in injuries to his passenger, identified as Salomón Antonio Serrano-Esquivel, a citizen of El Salvador who was also in the U.S. illegally.

Injuries and Investigations

Both Sousa Martins and Serrano-Esquivel were transported to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. Authorities report that Sousa Martins is currently in stable condition. The ICE agents involved in the incident sustained minor injuries.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department responded to the scene and confirmed that the driver fled at high speed toward a wooded area following the shooting.

Pro tip – Expired visas can lead to deportation proceedings. Individuals staying beyond their authorized period of admission are considered unlawfully present in the U.S. and subject to removal.

The FBI is investigating the alleged assault on the ICE agents,while ICE’s internal security division is conducting a separate investigation into the incident.

this is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Why did this happen? ICE agents were conducting a targeted operation to locate Tiago Alexandre Sousa Martins, who authorities say was in the U.S. with an expired visa. Who was involved? The incident involved ICE agents, Sousa Martins, and his passenger, salomón Antonio Serrano-Esquivel. What occurred? Sousa Martins allegedly attempted to run over ICE agents with a van, leading to a shooting. How did it end? sousa Martins crashed the van, injuring himself and his passenger. Both were hospitalized, and investigations by the FBI and ICE are underway.

Reader question – What factors should be considered when evaluating the use of force by law enforcement during immigration enforcement operations? Share your thoughts.