HOUSTON – A Houston father is speaking out after his son, Keith Porter Jr., was shot and killed by an off-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on New Year’s Eve in Northridge, California.
Investigators say the agent was responding to the sound of gunfire and fireworks in the apartment complex where he also lived.
However, Porter’s family says the official narrative does not align with what witnesses reported.
Authorities have said the agent returned fire after Porter allegedly fired at him. The family disputes that account, saying Porter was holding a rifle pointed upward and never faced the agent before he was shot. They also say the agent told Porter to drop his weapon but did not give him a chance to comply.
“When he said that and turned his head, that’s when witnesses said three shots went off,” Porter’s father said.
Keith Porter Jr. was 43 years old. His father described him as outgoing and caring.
“Oh yeah, he was a good dude — really fun, outgoing, a jokester. He liked to make everybody happy. He was a caretaker, a caregiver. He loved everybody,” Porter said.
A petition has been started calling for the off-duty ICE agent to be arrested and charged. Porter said support from the community gives him hope as he continues to seek answers.
“I definitely want justice. I want to see that guy brought to trial. He needs to go to jail for that. I mean, he just murdered him,” Porter said.
The family says they are also appealing to the Department of Justice for additional oversight. ICE has not released the name of the agent involved, and no charges have been filed at this time.
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