Christmas Eve in Glen Burnie, Maryland, shattered by the sound of gunfire. A routine law enforcement detail quickly spiraled into a harrowing confrontation, leaving two people injured and sparking multiple investigations.
The incident unfolded around 10:50 a.m. on West Court, as ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations agents approached a white van. What began as an attempt to initiate contact rapidly escalated when the driver allegedly made a dangerous move – attempting to run down the agents.
Responding to the immediate threat, ICE agents discharged their firearms, striking the vehicle. The van, instead of stopping, surged forward, accelerating into a nearby residential neighborhood before finally coming to rest in a wooded area.
Inside the van, one occupant suffered a gunshot wound and was rushed to a local hospital, thankfully listed in stable condition. A second individual, located outside the vehicle, sustained minor injuries and also received medical attention.
Authorities have identified the driver as Tiago Alexandre Sousa-Martins, a citizen of Portugal. The passenger was identified as Solomon Antonio Serrano-Esquivel, a citizen of El Salvador. Both individuals were described as being in the country illegally.
According to reports, agents instructed Sousa-Martins to turn off the engine, but he refused and instead attempted to flee the scene. The situation intensified as he allegedly rammed his van into multiple ICE vehicles, directly endangering the agents.
Faced with what they perceived as an imminent threat to their lives and public safety, the ICE officers fired their weapons in self-defense, striking the driver. The van subsequently crashed between two buildings, resulting in injuries to the passenger.
Immediately following the shooting, the agents provided medical assistance to both individuals before emergency services arrived and transported them to the hospital. The scene was one of chaos and urgency as first responders worked to secure the area.
The Anne Arundel County Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division, along with the FBI, have launched investigations into the incident. The FBI will focus on the alleged assault on the federal agents, while the police will review the shooting itself.
ICE has also initiated an internal investigation through its Office of Professional Responsibility, ensuring a thorough and impartial review of the events. County Police Chief Amal Awad clarified that her department was not directly involved in the shooting, but is cooperating with the ongoing investigations.
The investigations are expected to be comprehensive, meticulously examining all aspects of the confrontation. Details remain scarce as authorities continue to gather evidence and piece together the sequence of events that unfolded on that Christmas Eve morning.
