A video shared on social media Wednesday morning allegedly shows federal agents ram an unsuspecting vehicle and take the occupants into custody at gunpoint.
The video was posted on Bluesky by journalist and videographer Sean Beckner-Carmitchel.
The video is a recording of a screen replaying security footage from a nearby business. In it, a white Mercedes sedan is seen waiting to turn from Calzona Street on Whittier Boulevard in Boyle Heights.
As the Mercedes begins its turn, an unmarked silver pickup pulls out in front of it blocking its path, while an unmarked silver or light-blue SUV rams it from behind.
The video continues to show several men exit the vehicle with guns pointed as the driver exits with his hands up and is taken into custody. Smoke can also be seen rising from the behind the sedan, potentially from a pepper ball round or another law enforcement munition.
Sky5 was over the seen shortly after the video was shared on Bluesky. Video showed a crowd developing at the adjacent business where the original security footage is believed to have been filmed. The business owner later provided a copy of the video to KTLA upon request.
The white Mercedes sedan shown in the video could be seen parked on the curb not far from the intersection.
The possible federal agents were not at the scene by the time Sky5 arrived.
As with most clandestine operations by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, little details have been shared with local law enforcement or the media.
The Los Angeles police and fire departments responded to the scene Wednesday morning. LAFD officials said there was no evidence of a crash and no need for paramedics. Police officers remained on scene but no further details were released.
If an actual ICE operation and arrest as it appears, this will be the latest instance of an arrest by federal agents that have happened in broad daylight and without warning across the city. Last week, after search warrants were served in several locations downtown, protesters clashed with federal agents as they took detainees into custody and drove them to a holding facility.
In the days since, demonstrations and protests have broken out throughout the downtown corridor, with some overnight protests turning violent with vandalism and raids.
Tuesday night, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a curfew for a one-square-mile triangular parcel of land in downtown that included Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Skid Row and the Fashion District. Officials have not said if that curfew will remain in place moving forward.