ICE Agent Struck By Fleeing Suspect's Car In Manahawkin, Police Say

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — An ICE agent was struck by a car while trying to arrest someone in Manahawkin, Stafford police said.

The incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. Monday on Route 72 near Mermaid Drive, police said.

The agent was trying to arrest a suspect when the suspect fled the scene in a vehicle, hitting the agent, police said.

The agent fired a gun at the vehicle, reportedly striking it, police said.

Police officers went to the scene and found the ICE agent injured. Police performed first aid and facilitated his transport for further treatment.

It's unclear if the suspect was injured.

"ICE agents put their lives on the line every day to enforce our nation's laws and protect our communities," Rep. Jeff Van Drew said in a statement. "Yet too many politicians and activists 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."

Stafford police follow the Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive, so local officers were not assisting ICE and were not part of the ICE operation. Stafford police are not conducting the ongoing investigation. Instead, they are managing traffic and securing the crime scene.

Any further updates will be released by the FBI.