Video shows immigration agents detaining man in North Hollywood

A bystander in North Hollywood was caught on video being confronted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Friday morning. The cell phone footage shows the man being taken away by several masked officers, just seconds after he picked something up off the ground. The bystander then quickly tossed the object, after which an agent pushed him into some bushes while holding what appeared to be a handgun.

The agent backed away as the dog walker continued to yell at the officers, one of whom approached him again with what witnesses claimed was pepper spray, causing the man to flee down the street. As the man ran, he bent down to pick something up again, which he tossed further down the street. The agents, wearing vests with "ICE Police" written on them, can be seen dragging the detained man towards an unmarked SUV parked in the street.

Damari Butler, a local resident who witnessed the entire incident, described the police officer as drawing his gun and pointing it right at the man's face. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Angel Luis Gonzalez Lobo, from Venezuela, was arrested during a targeted operation after failing to appear for a court date.

Lobo will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and will receive due process. DHS also addressed the incident involving the bystander, claiming he was armed with pepper spray and creating a dangerous situation for federal law enforcement. Several Los Angeles city leaders expressed their outrage over the incident, with Mayor Karen Bass stating that every Angeleno deserves to feel safe in their community, and Congresswoman Luz Rivas calling the video "horrifying" and ICE's actions a violation of fundamental rights and safety.