A chaotic scene unfolded at a cannabis farm in Ventura County on Thursday, as a federal immigration raid led to clashes with protesters — including one individual who appeared to fire a gun at federal agents.
The incident took place during a multi-agency operation at Glass House Farms, a large agricultural site near Camarillo.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the raid was part of a coordinated effort involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the National Guard, targeting undocumented workers allegedly employed at the facility.
The farm had been under federal scrutiny for several months, suspected of violating labor and immigration laws.
As agents executed search and arrest warrants, a crowd of protesters—composed of labor advocates, local residents, and fellow farmworkers—gathered outside the property to oppose the operation.
Tensions quickly escalated when law enforcement deployed smoke canisters and non-lethal rounds, including paintballs, to disperse the demonstrators who had formed a human blockade.
Amid the confrontation, one protester was seen drawing what appeared to be a firearm and discharging it in the direction of the agents.
The shot did not result in any injuries, but federal officers immediately responded with a tactical sweep to secure the area. The armed protester was taken into custody, and the weapon is being examined by forensic investigators.
“We were speaking our mind like we can as U.S. citizens,” one protester told ABC7 Los Angeles. “We got tear-gassed… I got hit with a paintball. This is not OK.”
Authorities confirmed that over 30 undocumented individuals were detained during the raid. Several protesters sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene. At least three people were transported to local hospitals, although none were reported in critical condition.
The raid has drawn criticism from local officials and civil rights groups. Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur condemned the tactics used, calling the operation “an excessive show of force” and warning that such raids erode public trust in law enforcement.
Federal officials defended the operation, stating that the facility was operating in violation of multiple laws and that agents followed standard engagement protocols in response to what they described as “violent resistance.”
“We will not allow unlawful interference in federal operations,” DHS said in a statement. “Any attempt to threaten our personnel will be met with appropriate legal action.”
The investigation remains ongoing, and federal prosecutors are considering multiple charges, including assault on a federal officer, interference with a law enforcement operation, and illegal firearm possession.
The incident marks a significant escalation in immigration enforcement under President Trump’s renewed border and labor policy directives, which have emphasized aggressive crackdowns on undocumented employment—particularly in agriculture and cannabis industries.
