ONTARIO, CA – Federal authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Ontario on Thursday morning after Department of Homeland Security officers requested emergency assistance, according to local police officials.
The incident occurred around 6:30 a.m. in the 2800 block of South Vineyard Avenue when DHS officers called for backup from local law enforcement. Ontario Police Department officers responded to provide traffic control and scene security while federal investigators took over the investigation.
Ontario police officials emphasized that their officers were not involved in the initial shooting but responded to assist federal agents with securing the area. The DHS officers who requested assistance were the ones involved in the shooting incident.
The Department of Homeland Security and FBI have taken the lead on the investigation, as is standard protocol when federal law enforcement officers are involved in shootings. Neither agency has released details about what led to the shooting or whether anyone was injured in the incident.
Federal authorities have not disclosed the nature of the operation that preceded the shooting, the number of officers involved, or whether suspects were taken into custody. DHS, which encompasses multiple agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the Secret Service, has not specified which component was involved in the incident.
The FBI’s involvement is typical in officer-involved shootings where federal agents discharge weapons. The bureau conducts independent reviews of such incidents to determine whether the use of force was justified and whether any criminal violations occurred.
South Vineyard Avenue remained partially closed Thursday morning as federal investigators processed the scene and collected evidence. Ontario police maintained a perimeter to keep the public away from the area while the investigation continued.
News helicopters captured aerial footage of the scene, showing multiple law enforcement vehicles from different agencies at the location. However, few details were visible from the air, and authorities provided limited information to the media throughout the morning.
Local residents expressed concern about the heavy law enforcement presence in the neighborhood, which is primarily residential with some commercial properties. Several residents reported hearing what sounded like gunshots early Thursday morning but were unable to see what had occurred.
Officer-involved shootings involving federal agents are relatively uncommon in the Ontario area, though the city’s proximity to major transportation routes and its location in San Bernardino County means federal law enforcement agencies occasionally conduct operations in the jurisdiction.
The Ontario Police Department stated it would defer all questions about the incident to federal authorities, noting that the shooting did not involve their officers and remains under federal jurisdiction. The department’s role was limited to assisting with scene security and traffic management.
As of late Thursday morning, neither the FBI nor DHS had scheduled a press conference or released additional information about the shooting. Authorities have not indicated when more details might be made public, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
The incident remains under active investigation, and federal authorities are expected to provide updates as more information becomes available. Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact the FBI.
