ICE detention of disabled US citizen in California draws disputed accounts

The short version

• ICE officers detained Erik Zepeda, a 20-year-old US citizen with disabilities, as he walked to high school in Santa Maria, California, in October.[The Guardian]
• Zepeda's attorneys say hospital records confirm wrist surgery, while ICE says force was justified and that broken-bone claims are false.[The Guardian]
• Santa Maria police say their investigation is ongoing, and the Santa Barbara County district attorney says his office is gathering information.[The Guardian]
• The nonprofit 805 UndocuFund counted more than 280 arrests in October across three central coast counties, up from about 150 monthly.[The Guardian]

Key facts

• Erik Zepeda, a 20-year-old US citizen with disabilities, was detained by ICE officers in Santa Maria, California, in October while walking to high school.[The Guardian]
• Zepeda's attorneys say his hospital discharge records confirm he received surgery for a fractured wrist after the incident.[The Guardian]
• An ICE spokesperson said officers were conducting a targeted enforcement operation, that Zepeda resisted, and that claims of broken bones are false.[The Guardian]
• Santa Maria police chief Christopher Williams said the investigation is ongoing and that the incident was reported to the county district attorney, the California department of justice, and DHS.[The Guardian]
• Santa Barbara County district attorney John Savrnoch called the incident deeply troubling and said his office is coordinating with appropriate authorities.[The Guardian]
• The nonprofit 805 UndocuFund tracked more than 280 arrests in October across three central coast counties, up from roughly 150 per month on average during the previous nine months.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Outcry after ICE violently detains US citizen walking to high school: ‘I thought they were going to kill me’The Guardian - US