- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Franklin Park Today
By the People, for the People
Local Cops Hesitant to Investigate Federal Agents After Shootings
Departments often defer to federal authorities, even when citizens are killed
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Police departments across the country have been reluctant to investigate federal agents, such as those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, even after incidents where the federal agents have shot and killed civilians. This hands-off approach has become more common amid the aggressive immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, with local authorities deferring to federal agencies that often police themselves.
Why it matters
This trend raises concerns about accountability and transparency, as federal agents are often shielded from local scrutiny despite operating within local communities. Civil rights advocates argue that state and local authorities have a duty to investigate potential wrongdoing by federal agents, but they face legal and political hurdles in doing so.
The details
In one incident in Franklin Park, Illinois, the police chief told officers they would not be investigating an ICE agent who had shot and killed a 38-year-old man, leaving the inquiry to the FBI instead. Similar situations have occurred in other cities, such as Minneapolis, where state investigators say federal officials blocked them from crime scenes and refused to provide basic information after agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens and injured a Venezuelan man.
- In September 2025, the Franklin Park, Illinois police chief told officers they would not investigate an ICE agent who had shot and killed a man.
- In January 2026, ICE and Border Patrol agents fatally shot two U.S. citizens and injured a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis.
The players
Mike Witz
The former police chief of Franklin Park, Illinois who told officers they would not investigate an ICE agent who had shot and killed a man.
Alex Pretti
A U.S. citizen fatally shot by ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis in January 2026.
Renee Good
A U.S. citizen fatally shot by ICE and Border Patrol agents in Minneapolis in January 2026.
What they’re saying
“You're not going to investigate a federal officer.”
— Mike Witz, Former Police Chief, Franklin Park, Illinois (ProPublica)
What’s next
Chicago's mayor has ordered police to document alleged crimes by federal immigration agents and refer potential felonies to prosecutors, while a new nationwide coalition of prosecutors has formed to support cases against federal officers. However, the response remains patchwork, with some jurisdictions deferring to federal authorities while others have opened independent probes.
The takeaway
This trend highlights the need for greater accountability and transparency when it comes to federal agents operating within local communities. While there are legal and political hurdles, civil rights advocates argue that state and local authorities have a responsibility to investigate potential wrongdoing by federal officers to ensure justice and protect the rights of citizens.
