Los Angeles, Calif. — Amid ongoing protests in response to recent police shootings, a mother is calling for justice for her son, who was killed by an off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a New Year’s Eve incident in Northridge. The shooting, which occurred shortly after 11:30 p.m. on December 31, has intensified public outcry against ICE operations in the city.
Keith Porter Jr., 43, was shot by the unidentified agent following what authorities describe as an “active shooter situation.” The Department of Homeland Security stated that the agent responded to gunfire, claiming that Porter was firing a weapon into the air as part of a New Year celebration—a practice often criticized by law enforcement due to safety concerns.
While federal officials characterized the incident as a justified reaction to an escalating threat, local activists argue that Porter posed no danger to anyone. At a city council meeting, Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez urged her colleagues to remember Porter’s death, emphasizing the need for accountability regarding the actions of federal agents who often operate with minimal oversight.
“This tragedy happened in our own community, and we cannot remain silent,” Hernandez stated, after introducing Porter’s mother, Franceola Armstrong. Armstrong expressed her anguish over the loss of her son, describing him as a caring and benevolent individual. “He didn’t deserve this,” she said, reflecting on her wish to hold her son one last time.
Joseph Williams of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles echoed these sentiments, calling for more scrutiny of law enforcement actions, especially regarding ICE. He highlighted a disturbing trend of escalating police violence, noting an increase in shootings by the Los Angeles Police Department.
In a broader context, protests erupted across Los Angeles in response to the recent fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis during another operation. Reports indicate that Good was shot as she attempted to evade law enforcement officers in her vehicle, which resulted in accusations from federal officials that her actions constituted an aggressive incident.
Federal authorities have defended the ICE agent’s actions, while some officials, including U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, labeled Good’s behavior as part of a growing trend of attacks against immigration enforcement personnel. This perspective has been met with skepticism by many community leaders, who accuse federal authorities of lacking accountability.
Local officials have also condemned the incidents, with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass describing Good’s shooting as a tragic outcome of misguided immigration policies. “This violence is not an isolated incident; it undermines public safety and the foundations of our democracy,” Bass stated.
Calls for an investigation into both shootings have garnered support from prominent political figures, including Rep. Robert Garcia of Long Beach and Rep. Derek Tran of Garden Grove, both of whom expressed deep concern over law enforcement’s use of force in these encounters.
As members of Porter’s family prepare to join civil rights activists for a candlelight vigil in Carson Park to honor both Porter and Good, the rising sentiment across various communities highlights a critical demand for transparency and justice in the wake of these tragedies. Protests in downtown Los Angeles reflect a growing unease over the role and actions of ICE within the city, with demonstrators pushing for systemic change in federal immigration enforcement practices.