A man from Long Beach, Ricardo Gonzalez, recently experienced a distressing incident involving ICE agents. Videos capturing the event show ICE agents pinning Gonzalez face-down in a gutter and handcuffing him while he screamed for help, claiming his arm was broken.
This incident occurred on a Saturday in a residential area of North Long Beach and has sparked public outrage. Many are questioning the tactics employed by federal immigration agents and the lack of transparency from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the operation. Notably, DHS has not responded to inquiries from The Times.
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson expressed his dismay over the situation and contacted Gonzalez, a former long-term city employee, who shared that he is a U.S. citizen. Richardson remarked, “Ricardo is a dad. He just wants his kids to feel safe. He shouldn’t have to worry about being injured or being hit by a car.”
Richardson has filed a complaint with the DHS Office of Inspector General, seeking an independent investigation into the use-of-force incident. He demands that all involved agents be suspended from field duties pending the investigation.
Incident Details
According to Richardson, Gonzalez had placed a 911 call requesting police de-escalation support after observing unmarked vehicles and a gathering crowd in his neighborhood. When officers reached the scene at Locust Avenue and Ellis Street, they found Gonzalez lying on the ground, requesting medical aid after being struck by a vehicle.
Gonzalez’s daughter, Leslie, shared that her father was tased twice and pinned down before being hospitalized for serious injuries. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to assist with medical expenses. In her message, Leslie highlighted her father’s hard work and the impact he has on their family.
Community Response
Sherman Austin, a member of the local rapid response network that monitors ICE activity, reported observing unmarked vehicles at the scene. Austin described seeing Gonzalez on the ground with his e-bike nearby, affirming that ICE agents did not provide an explanation for their actions.
Neighbors joined together, protesting the actions of ICE and the detention of a woman at the scene. The Long Beach Police Department stated they responded to a DHS and ICE request due to vehicle vandalism and approached to assist Gonzalez for medical aid.
Demand for Answers and Accountability
Mayor Richardson pointed to a recent increase in immigration enforcement in Southern California. He questioned the necessity of force in Gonzalez’s case and emphasized the need for DHS to provide information about the broader enforcement operation’s motives and scope.
Representative Robert Garcia expressed horror at the situation and praised community members for documenting the incident. In contrast, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli criticized Garcia’s comments, claiming they could incite obstruction of ICE agents’ work.
Richardson, describing Gonzalez as part of the “city family,” asserted that such enforcement actions should not occur in American neighborhoods. Gonzalez, having held various roles within the city, has demonstrated years of commitment and describes himself as someone always willing to lend a hand, as noted on his LinkedIn profile.