A remarkable scene unfolded in Hurricane, West Virginia, recently, captured on video and quickly spreading across TikTok. It showed ICE agents utilizing a ladder truck, generously loaned by the Teays Valley Fire Department, to reach individuals positioned on a rooftop.
The operation began with a traffic stop involving a red Ford F-250, leading to the discovery of Miguel Angel Alvarado Molina, a Honduran national with a final order of removal. Further investigation directed authorities to a residence where others were actively working on the roof.
Upon contacting the homeowner, permission was granted for ICE to access the property. However, the situation escalated when one individual on the roof brandished a nail gun towards an approaching ICE officer, forcing a temporary retreat.
With backup arriving, seven individuals ultimately surrendered and were taken into custody alongside Molina. The seemingly straightforward law enforcement action, however, ignited a firestorm of controversy online.
The video’s circulation on TikTok sparked intense backlash, tragically resulting in death threats directed at the firefighters of the Teays Valley Fire Department and their families. The department had been unaware of the ICE operation when initially requested to assist with a rooftop rescue.
Delegate Kathy Hess Crouse vehemently defended the fire department, emphasizing their role as dedicated public servants responding to emergencies without political consideration. She condemned the threats and intimidation as unacceptable and vowed to protect the department’s funding.
Crouse highlighted the firefighters’ selfless dedication, consistently running towards danger to protect the community. She asserted that targeting them and their families with threats is cowardly, criminal, and demands full prosecution.
The incident left a tangible consequence beyond the legal ramifications: the homeowner was left with an unfinished roofing project, a stark reminder of the day’s extraordinary events.
