ICE incident in Stafford Township injures agent, police say

🚨Stafford Township police said an ICE agent was injured during an operation

🚨Police said a suspect fled the scene

🚨A section of Route 72 was closed in both directions

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent was injured during an incident in Ocean County Monday morning, according to police.

ICE agents were attempting to detain a suspect around 9:30 a.m. on Route 72 near Mermaid Drive when shots were fired, according to Stafford Township police. The suspect fled the scene before officers arrived. Officials have not indicated who fired the shots or how the officer was injured.

Stafford police initially said the agent was struck by the suspect's vehicle as it left the scene. They also initially reported that ICE fired at the vehicle.

New Jersey 101.5 has learned that the suspect's vehicle was a white van. It had not been located as of 4 p.m. Monday afternoon. A description of the suspect has not been disclosed.

Pictures posted on Reddit show ICE agents and Stafford police tending to an agent lying on the ground. The agent was then placed onto a stretcher.

The FBI has taken over the search for the suspect, but Stafford police will file any local charges.

ALSO READ: Cigarette sparks boardwalk fire scare in Seaside Heights

Route 72 closure impacts busy Ocean County corridor

Route 72 was closed just before 10 a.m. in both directions between Barnacle Drive and Breakers Drive in Stafford Township, but has been reopened. The area includes a Wawa and the Stafford Diner.

Stafford police said that they were involved with traffic control and securing the scene. Stafford police were not part of the ICE operation in compliance with the state's Immigrant Trust Directive.

ICE on Monday morning did not respond to New Jersey 101.5's request for more information.

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-NJ, 2nd District, defended ICE agents and was critical of "politicians and activists who continue to demonize them for doing the job they are sworn to do."

"This incident is a reminder of the dangers these brave men and women face. I am grateful the agent is expected to recover, and I will always stand with ICE and law enforcement," Van Drew said.

Posts from the southjersey
community on Reddit

Map shows location of ICE agent incident in Stafford Township (Canva/Google Maps)

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom

Significant or historical events in New Jersey for June (in chronological order)

Here are some of the historical or significant events that impacted New Jersey or happened in the Garden State during the month of June. Is there an event missing? Let us know with an email to dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

Thanks to NewJerseyAlmanac.com for the assist.

Gallery Credit: Dan Alexander