Violent Long Beach ICE confrontation sparks calls for investigation

KTLA has reached out to officials at the Department of Homeland Security about this incident is awaiting a response.

A Southern California congressman is calling for a full investigation after a Long Beach man who says he is a U.S. citizen was allegedly tased and suffered serious injuries during a confrontation with federal immigration agents over the weekend.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach) identified the man as Ricardo Gonzalez, who was detained Saturday afternoon near the intersection of Locust Avenue and Ellis Street in North Long Beach.

Surveillance video of the incident shows Gonzalez riding an electric bicycle when a large, unmarked SUV pulls in front of him, blocking his path.

Several masked federal agents, some wearing tactical vests marked “ICE,” are then seen exiting the vehicle and confronting Gonzalez. At least one agent appears to draw a firearm.

During the encounter, Gonzalez was allegedly tased before being taken to the ground, handcuffed and detained as several bystanders attempted to intervene.

A U.S. citizen was reportedly injured during a physically violent arrest by ICE officers in Long Beach on Oct. 17, 2026. (viewer image)

Garcia said Gonzalez is a U.S. citizen who suffered a broken arm during the confrontation. His family said he was later hospitalized with serious injuries.

It remains unclear why federal agents initially targeted Gonzalez or what prompted the confrontation.

At a news conference addressing the incident, Garcia criticized the agents’ actions and called for accountability.

“The immigration actions, the terror that happened in North Long Beach over the weekend is not welcome in our city or community,” Garcia said.

The congressman also accused agents of treating Gonzalez inhumanely, saying he was “thrown to the street” and “treated with no humanity.”

“ICE and DHS are completely out of control,” Garcia added.

The incident also raised concerns among neighbors, some of whom questioned the tactics used by federal agents.

“I feel they need better training and interactions with the public,” one resident said.

Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson also weighed in on the incident, telling the Los Angeles Times that Gonzalez, a former longtime city employee, had called 911 requesting police assistance to de-escalate a situation after noticing several unmarked vehicles and a crowd gathering in the area.

According to Richardson, Gonzalez was on the ground yelling for medical assistance when police arrived.

In a statement released Saturday, Long Beach police said DHS and ICE had requested assistance in the area because of “vehicle vandalism and a subject in need of medical aid.”

“We need to understand why a use of force was necessary,” Richardson told The Times. “A car hitting an individual, whether that was warranted. What are the circumstances surrounding the injury? Why didn’t the agents provide medical assistance?”