An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent was struck by a fleeing suspect’s vehicle during an attempted arrest operation in Stafford Township, New Jersey, on Monday morning. The incident, which unfolded around 9:30 a.m. near Mermaid Drive in the Manahawkin section of Ocean County, triggered gunfire from the agent, a large-scale law enforcement response, and an ongoing manhunt for the individual.
"an ICE spokesperson identified the suspect as Friedrich Castillo-Ormeno, an illegal alien from Peru who had previously been ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge." — ICE Spokesperson
According to law enforcement officials, federal agents were conducting a targeted enforcement action when the suspect allegedly struck an ICE officer with a van while attempting to evade arrest. Stafford Township police stated that the suspect fled immediately after the collision. In response, the ICE agent discharged his weapon as the vehicle sped away. Officials indicated that it is believed gunfire struck the van, though it remains unclear whether the driver sustained injuries during the exchange. The agent was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment; authorities have not publicly released details regarding the severity of his injuries.
In the aftermath of the incident, law enforcement agencies swiftly launched a coordinated search operation across the area. Portions of Route 72 were shut down as federal, state, and local officers converged on the scene. Witness accounts and aerial footage described a heavy law enforcement presence, with tactical units sweeping nearby neighborhoods and investigators securing evidence along the roadway. Officials reported that the suspect abandoned the immediate area in the damaged van and remains at large as of Tuesday afternoon. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and additional evidence to trace the vehicle’s movements following the shooting and to identify the driver’s current location.
An ICE spokesperson identified the suspect as Friedrich Castillo-Ormeno, an illegal alien from Peru who had previously been ordered removed from the United States by an immigration judge. Authorities confirmed that Castillo-Ormeno was the subject of the targeted enforcement action at the time of the confrontation.
ICE officials have described this incident as part of a broader pattern of vehicle-related assaults on federal agents during enforcement operations. The agency reported that such encounters have increased in recent years, with 182 vehicular assaults reported between January 21, 2025, and January 24, 2026. This trend highlights the risks faced by federal agents in the course of their duties.
Local authorities in Stafford Township clarified their role in the operation. Stafford Township police were not directly involved in the initial ICE enforcement action due to New Jersey’s Immigrant Trust Directive. This directive limits cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement agencies. Officials from the township stated that their involvement was limited to securing the area, managing traffic, and assisting with the emergency response after the incident occurred.
The investigation remains active, with multiple federal and local agencies continuing their efforts to locate the suspect and determine the full circumstances of the encounter. Officials have not released further details regarding the underlying reason for the attempted arrest or whether additional charges will be filed in connection with the incident.
