A suspect used a vehicle as a weapon against a federal immigration agent in New Jersey — and now the attacker is still on the run.

Story Snapshot

• An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent was struck by a fleeing suspect’s vehicle during an arrest attempt in Manahawkin, New Jersey, on June 15, 2026.
• The agent fired at the vehicle after being hit, and police say the shots struck the car — but the suspect escaped and has not been found.
• The agent suffered injuries, though police have not said how serious they are.
• New Jersey’s attorney general has launched an investigation, which is standard procedure when a law enforcement officer fires a weapon in the state.

Suspect Rams ICE Agent, Then Flees the Scene

The incident happened around 9:30 a.m. near Manahawkin, New Jersey, less than 10 miles from Long Beach Island. Stafford Township Police said an ICE agent was trying to arrest a suspect when the person jumped in a vehicle and drove into the officer. The agent was knocked down and hurt. Police said the agent then fired at the fleeing vehicle and reportedly hit it. The suspect sped away and has not been caught.

At the scene, reporters spotted at least three yellow evidence markers on the ground — the kind police use to mark spent shell casings. The agent’s injuries were confirmed, but police have not released details on how serious they are. It is also unclear whether the suspect was hit by any of the gunfire. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE had not issued a public comment as of the initial reports.

Who Was the Suspect?

Some reports identified the suspect as Jesus Fabian Lopez-Banegas, described by DHS as a criminal illegal alien from Honduras with a history that includes drug trafficking, drug possession, and driving under the influence. However, the Stafford Township Police Department’s official statement did not confirm the suspect’s name. The suspect remains at large, and police have not yet released details about what led to the arrest attempt.

A separate but related incident involving the same suspect name occurred in Roxbury, New Jersey. In that case, DHS said Lopez-Banegas rammed a law enforcement vehicle and tried to run over an officer during an arrest attempt. The ICE agent in that incident shot out the suspect’s tires to stop the threat. Lopez-Banegas was taken into custody, and no injuries were reported. The New Jersey attorney general confirmed an investigation into that shooting as well.

Agent Was Alone — New Jersey Doesn’t Help ICE

Stafford Township Police made clear that local officers were not part of the ICE operation. New Jersey has policies that limit local police from taking part in federal immigration enforcement. That means the ICE agent was working without local backup when the suspect struck him. Critics may use this to question the operation, but the agent was doing his lawful job — enforcing a federal arrest order — when he was attacked.

Shots Fired After Van Driver Runs Over ICE Agent.

An ICE agent was injured in Stafford Township, New Jersey, after being struck by a suspect’s van during an arrest attempt, prompting the agent to open fire.

PULSE POINTS

❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A U.S. Immigration and Customs… pic.twitter.com/Ws8aUDpFLP

— The National Pulse (@TheNatPulse) June 15, 2026

This incident fits a troubling pattern. ICE agents across the country have faced suspects who use vehicles as weapons to escape arrest. Federal use-of-force policy allows agents to fire when they “reasonably believe” they face an immediate threat of death or serious injury. Being struck by a moving vehicle clearly meets that standard. The New Jersey attorney general’s office said it is investigating, which is routine any time a law enforcement officer fires a weapon in the state.

Sources:

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