Overview
- An ICE agent was struck by a vehicle during an attempted arrest on Route 72 near Mermaid Drive in Manahawkin and fired at the fleeing vehicle, authorities said; the suspect escaped and remains at large.
- Stafford Township police said the incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Monday and their role was limited to securing the scene and managing traffic because they did not participate in the ICE operation.
- ICE identified the wanted suspect as Friedrich Castillo-Ormeno and said he had a prior removal order, while the FBI’s Red Bank office is leading the federal investigation.
- The ICE agent sustained injuries and was treated and transported for further care but officials have not released details about the severity of those injuries or whether the suspect was hurt.
- New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive restricts local help to federal immigration actions, which shaped the response on the ground, and the case could prompt renewed scrutiny of use-of-force rules and coordination between federal and local authorities.