Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez Obituary, Death – Federal immigration authorities have identified the man who was shot and killed by an officer during an operation in suburban Franklin Park on Friday. The Cook County medical examiner confirmed the victim as 38-year-old Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, a native of Michoacán, Mexico, who had been working as a cook in the Chicago area.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), agents were carrying out what they described as a “targeted law enforcement activity” when they stopped Villegas-Gonzalez’s vehicle. Officials allege that during the stop, Villegas-Gonzalez resisted arrest, attempted to flee, and drove his car into officers, dragging one of them. In response, an ICE officer opened fire, striking Villegas-Gonzalez. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner reported that Villegas-Gonzalez died from multiple gunshot wounds, classifying his death as a homicide. ICE stated that the officer who was injured in the incident was treated at a hospital and has since been released.
The agency’s version of events has not been independently verified. Eyewitnesses and videos circulating on social media have captured only the aftermath of the shooting, not the moments leading up to it. This has fueled questions and skepticism about what exactly occurred during the stop.
The Mexican consulate confirmed Villegas-Gonzalez’s identity and said it has been in touch with his family. Officials there are also seeking more information from U.S. authorities about the circumstances surrounding the deadly encounter.
Family members and supporters of Villegas-Gonzalez have cast doubt on ICE’s explanation. His girlfriend, Blanca Mora, told CBS News that she believes agents are not being truthful and emphasized that she wants clarity and accountability.
Political leaders have also weighed in. U.S. Representative Delia Ramirez held a news conference outside ICE’s Broadview facility on Saturday, where she revealed that Villegas-Gonzalez had dropped off his child at school only minutes before the shooting occurred. Ramirez and other officials called for a thorough investigation into the incident, stressing the need for transparency and accountability.
Court records show that Villegas-Gonzalez had a history of traffic violations dating back to 2010, including citations for speeding, driving with an expired license, and operating a vehicle without insurance. His most recent case, in 2019, was dismissed within a month. However, there is no indication he had any violent criminal record.
Chicago-area attorney Manuel Cardenas, who had represented Villegas-Gonzalez in one of those traffic cases, defended his former client’s character. He said he was shocked to learn of his death and criticized the way Villegas-Gonzalez is being portrayed by officials. According to Cardenas, Villegas-Gonzalez was “just a working man” who may have panicked during a tense encounter with armed agents.
Cardenas further suggested that ICE’s tactics often escalate situations unnecessarily, pointing out that being surrounded by masked agents could easily cause fear and confusion. He argued that the Franklin Park shooting was the tragic outcome of overly aggressive enforcement practices.
As questions remain unanswered, the case has sparked renewed debate about ICE’s methods, immigrant safety, and the balance between law enforcement operations and community trust.
