Executive Summary
- An off-duty ICE agent fatally shot 43-year-old Keith Porter in Northridge on New Year’s Eve.
- DHS officials state the agent responded to an “active shooter” threat and was fired upon first.
- Porter’s family and activists claim he was engaging in celebratory gunfire and dispute the threat assessment.
- The LAPD is conducting an investigation into the shooting; no arrests have been made.
An off-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed an armed man on New Year’s Eve in Northridge, California, during a confrontation that authorities describe as a defense against an “active shooter,” while the deceased’s family contends he was merely celebrating the holiday.
The incident took place at an apartment complex where the unidentified agent confronted 43-year-old Keith Porter. According to Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who spoke to CBS News, the agent reacted to the sound of “multiple” gunshots emanating from within the complex that appeared to be getting closer to his location.
McLaughlin stated that the agent encountered Porter on the ground level, armed with a long rifle. The official account alleges that the agent attempted to verbally disarm the subject. When Porter reportedly did not comply, officials say he fired at least three shots at the agent. The agent then returned fire, fatally striking Porter. An ICE spokesperson confirmed that the officer was not injured during the exchange.
Local law enforcement responded to the scene following the shooting. A police report obtained by Fox 11 indicates that the agent identified himself as law enforcement before the exchange of gunfire. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrived to find Porter deceased at the scene.
Conversely, family members and activists have challenged the official narrative. During a Sunday vigil, Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, told KABC that Porter was likely engaging in celebratory gunfire regarding the holiday rather than acting as a threat. “You don’t just get to murder people, because you don’t like what they’re doing or how they’re celebrating,” Abdullah stated.
Investigative Scope and Legal Considerations
The investigation is currently being led by the LAPD to determine the precise sequence of events and whether the use of lethal force was justified under self-defense statutes. Investigators will likely focus on ballistics evidence to corroborate the claim that Porter fired at the agent first, distinguishing between upward celebratory fire and directional fire at a person. The case highlights the complex legal intersection of firearm safety laws regarding celebratory gunfire and the rules of engagement for off-duty federal agents intervening in perceived public safety threats. It is important to note that the investigation is ongoing, no arrests have been made, and all individuals involved are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
