Crime & Law
Illinois State Police Launch Investigation Into Killing of Silverio Villegas González by Federal Immigration Agents
FBI investigators on the scene of a fatal ICE shooting in Frankin Park on Sept. 12, 2025. (WTTW News)
Illinois State Police have launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of Silverio Villegas González, who was killed by federal immigration agents during a traffic stop in suburban Franklin Park early on in “Operation Midway Blitz.”
An ISP spokesperson confirmed an “initial investigation” is underway after the Franklin Park Police Department asked the state police’s Public Integrity Task Force to investigate Villegas González’s death.
“When complete, the case will be turned over to the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office,” the spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke’s office confirmed they’ve been in contact with ISP and will play a “supportive role” in their investigation.
Villegas González was killed on Sept. 12, just days after the Trump administration launched its expanded immigration enforcement efforts in Illinois through Midway Blitz.
He was stopped by ICE agents while driving in Franklin Park and allegedly attempted to flee when he was killed. Homeland Security officials claimed he intentionally struck and seriously injured an agent with his vehicle, though body camera footage from just after the shooting reportedly captured that agent saying his injuries were “nothing major.”
The investigation announcement comes days after a state commission documenting misconduct allegations against Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents in Illinois urged local law enforcement to investigate further.
It also comes just days before a Cook County judge is set to rule on a local coalition’s request for a special prosecutor to take over ICE investigations after O’Neill Burke has thus far declined to pursue charges against any federal agents in connection with Midway Blitz.
They claim that despite “overwhelming evidence” of criminal misconduct carried out by federal agents during Operation Midway Blitz, O’Neill Burke’s office has “abandoned” her duties to investigate or prosecute those alleged crimes.
O’Neill Burke instead contends that her office cannot take such action or act as lead investigators in a case before they are first brought evidence from law enforcement agencies.
Judge Erica Reddick is expected to rule on the special prosecutor request next week.
