Pritzker Calls For 'More Transparency' After Man Fatally Shot By ICE After Dropping Child Off At School

CHICAGO, IL — Shortly after dropping his child off at school, Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Franklin Park on Friday morning, according to U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, Villegas-Gonzalez drove his car into law enforcement just before the shooting. State officials are now calling on ICE to release body-worn camera footage of the incident and more details.

During a news conference on Monday morning, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it's important for state officials to know the extent of the officer's injuries and what led ICE officers to pursue Villegas-Gonzalez in the way that they did.

"We need more information. We have asked ICE for all of the information around it. They have given very little," Pritzker said.

The public has a right to know more, Pritzker said.

"We should have transparency," Pritzker said during Monday's press conference. "If this were the Chicago Police Department, if this were the sheriff's office in Cook County, if this were Illinois State Police, you would have had a lot more information already released but apparently, ICE is unwilling to provide the transparency that I think the American public and the public here deserves."

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has said an agent was attempting to arrest Villegas-Gonzalez, but he resisted. Villegas-Gonzalez then drove his car into the arrest team and struck an officer, dragging the agent as the vehicle fled the scene, according to authorities.

"Fearing for his life, the officer discharged his firearm and struck the subject," an ICE spokesperson said in a statement.

Federal authorities say the ICE officer has been released from the hospital after being treated for “severe back injuries, lacerations to the hand and substantial tears on his knee,” the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.

"We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer. He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement," according to an update from ICE officials on X. "Activists encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement not only spread misinformation, but also undermine public safety, as well as the safety of our officers and those being apprehended."

Authorities said Villegas-Gonzalez was in the country illegally and had a history of reckless driving. He entered the country at an unknown date and time, officials said. Both Villegas-Gonzalez and the officer received medical treatment at the scene before they were taken to a local hospital.

Villegas-Gonzalez was declared dead at the hospital.

During a press conference on Friday, Ramirez, D-Ill., said Villegas-Gonzalez was shot shortly after dropping off his child at school.

In a joint statement from Ramirez and Rep. Norma Hernandez (D-77th), the politicians called on DHS and ICE to release body-camera footage from the shooting and relevant warrants.

"We reject violence in all its forms. We also reject the statements issued by DHS and ICE that recklessly blame local activists for this tragic situation. Advocates and elected officials in Chicago have been warning people to be safe and know their rights if they have an encounter with law enforcement," the joint statement said. "We warned that ICE’s aggressive tactics and disregard for due process were a violent escalation. This is precisely what the Trump administration sought when they declared the invasion of Chicago."

The shooting led to the lockdown of schools in the Franklin Park area on Friday, according to officials.

A vigil was held Saturday at the site of the fatal shooting, and those stopping out left flowers at the makeshift memorial, according to Reuters. Alexandra Calleja, 34, teared up as she shared that she thought Villegas-Gonzalez may have gotten scared when approached by ICE on Friday.

"He might have wanted to leave because it crossed his mind that, 'If I get taken away, I'll never see my kids again," she said.

Reports of ICE agents moving into the Chicagoland began earlier this month, with sources saying to expect daily early morning stings starting over the weekend. Last week, DHS announced "Operation Midway Blitz," which specifically targets "criminal illegal aliens who flocked to Chicago and Illinois because they knew Governor (JB) Pritzker and his sanctuary policies would protect them and allow them to roam free on American streets."

Over the weekend, Trump announced he would not be sending military troops or the National Guard to Chicago. During an interview with "Fox and Friends," Trump said the National Guard would instead be sent to Memphis.

During Monday's press conference, Pritzker addressed news of the National Guard being diverted to Memphis.

"On the other hand, as you've heard the president says one thing one day and then goes back on them the next day, changes his mind from week to week so we never really know what he intends to do," Pritzker said during the press conference on Monday morning. "All I can say is, sending troops into any American city, is a terrible idea. The law and the constitution only allow it in the case of insurrection or a national emergency. And those are not taking place in any city across the United States."

Pritzker also urged more details be released regarding Friday's fatal shooting in Franklin Park.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.