Franklin Park shooting: Who was Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, man fatally shot by ICE agent?

Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez was identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the suspect in a fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Franklin Park

Published on: Sep 13, 2025, 24:00:34 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez was identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the suspect in a fatal shooting by an ICE agent in Franklin Park, Illinois. The DHS announced that Gonzalez attempted to drive into agents when the official fired at him on Friday morning.

Police officers and first responders work at the scene following reports of a shooting in Franklin Park village (REUTERS)

"During a vehicle stop, the suspect resisted and attempted to drive his vehicle into the arrest team, striking an officer and subsequently dragging him as he fled the scene. Fearing for his life, the officer discharged his firearm and struck the subject," the DHS statement said.

The agency further described Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez as an ‘illegal criminal alien’. It noted that ICE officers conducted a vehicle stop to arrest the suspect. He refused to follow law enforcement's commands and drove his car at officers.

One officer was hit by the car and dragged ‘a significant distance’. The officer fired his weapon. The press release stated that Villegas-Gonzalez had a history of reckless driving. He entered the country at an unknown date and time.

“We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer. He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement. Viral social media videos and activists encouraging illegal aliens to resist law enforcement not only spread misinformation, but also undermine public safety, as well as the safety of our officers and those being apprehended," Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said.

The FBI confirmed it has been informed of the situation.

“The FBI is aware of the incident in Franklin Park and is assisting law enforcement in response. There is no threat to public safety or further information available at this time,” a spokesperson for the Chicago field office said, according to CBS News.

Franklin Park is about 15 miles northwest of Chicago, near O'Hare International Airport.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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