Fatal Shooting by Off-Duty ICE Officer Under Investigation After New Year's Eve Gunfire

A fatal shooting involving an off-duty Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer outside an apartment complex in Los Angeles is under investigation following an exchange of gunfire late on New Year's Eve, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

The incident occurred around 10:45 p.m. on Dec. 31 in the Northridge neighborhood when the off-duty officer, assigned to ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, was inside his apartment and heard what he believed were multiple gunshots.

As the sounds grew louder, the officer went outside carrying his ICE-authorized firearm and encountered a man "armed with what appeared to be a long rifle" near a building in the complex, according to the statement from DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin reported by ABC News.

After identifying himself as law enforcement, the officer reportedly ordered the individual to put the weapon down when the man pointed the firearm at the officer and did not comply."When the subject refused to comply, the officer fired defensively with his service weapon at the subject to disarm him," McLaughlin said, adding that the man fired at least three rounds at the officer.

The officer then returned to his apartment to retrieve ICE-issued body armor "to better protect himself against rifle rounds" and contacted the Los Angeles Police Department, according to DHS. Responding officers found the man dead at the scene. The ICE officer was not injured.

LAPD confirmed it responded to a report of shots fired involving a federal agent but released no further details, as per The Los Angeles Times. Authorities have not identified the officer or the deceased man, but sources said investigators believe the two had no prior connection.

In a separate emailed statement, this one to the LA Times, McLaughling describe the incident as an "active shooter situation," adding that the officer "defensively used his weapon" to protect himself and others.

The shooting comes amid heightened scrutiny of safety risks facing immigration officers. In an official DHS statement released Dec. 31, the department said assaults against ICE officers increased by 1,347% and death threats by 8,000% over the past year.

ICE Director Todd M. Lyons said in the statement:

"every day, ERO officers show up knowing the risks they face — and they choose to serve anyway. Courage is measured by actions, not words, and throughout the year, officers across the agency demonstrated professionalism, restraint and courage in moments that demanded all three"