Crime
ICE Agents denied entry at Hamline Elementary School in Chicago
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were observed at Hamline Elementary School in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood on Friday afternoon. Their presence occurred just hours after a Trump administration official confirmed that Illinois was among several states where hundreds of immigration-related arrests had recently been made.
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova addressed the situation during a press conference, reassuring the community that ICE agents were not permitted to enter the school or interact with students and staff.
“Earlier today, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents showed up at Hamline Elementary School,” Chkoumbova stated. “School staff promptly followed CPS-established protocols by keeping the ICE agents outside and immediately contacting the CPS Law Department and the Office of Safety and Security for guidance.
The agents were not allowed entry into the building nor permitted to speak with any students or staff. The bottom line is that our students and staff remain safe, and our protocols were followed correctly.”
In response to the incident, members of the nonprofit organization Increase the Peace’s Rapid Response Team also arrived at the scene to provide support to concerned families and community members.
Hamline Elementary School Principal Natasha Ortega emphasized the school’s commitment to safeguarding its students and maintaining a secure learning environment.
“I am incredibly grateful to our Hamline staff for their swift actions in upholding our safety protocols and ensuring the well-being of our students,” Ortega said. “We will not open our doors to ICE unnecessarily.
Our priority is to protect our children and ensure they continue to receive an excellent education. We stand in solidarity with our families and the Back of the Yards community.”
The incident has sparked renewed concerns within Chicagoโs immigrant communities, though officials have not confirmed any enforcement actions or raids taking place at the school or in the surrounding area.
CPS has reiterated its commitment to supporting immigrant families, reminding them of their rights and offering resources to address any concerns related to immigration enforcement activities.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. โ Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.