Last week, a man allegedly shot a paintball at a federal officer was arrested and charged with being charged with protesting in downtown Los Angeles.
Edwin Osvaldo Manriquez was accused of drawing multiple rounds by pulling the trigger with a paintball gun on the afternoon of June 9, near a federal building on Los Angeles Street in downtown Los Angeles. According to an affidavit filed in court by the FBI.
Federal Protection Services officers were attacked. The service is a department of the US Department of Homeland Security that protects federal buildings.
“The paintball slammed him against the head and slapped him on the left ear, left cheek, left neck and left shoulder,” the affidavit says. The officer was wearing a helmet and protective gear.
Manriquez was charged with assault on a federal officer.
Officials were stationed at the front door of the federal building to prevent protesters from entering the structure, the affidavit said.
The suspect is accused of pulling the trigger while in the passenger seat of a 2005 white Infinity G35 coupe. After firing the paintball gun, the suspect “threw a hand sign with his left hand while holding the paintball gun in his right hand,” the affidavit says. Both the suspicious shooter and driver covered their faces.
According to court documents, investigators were able to identify Manriquez and the driver after the vehicle’s license plate number was caught in the video. After obtaining the warrant, FBI agents searched the driver’s home on Friday and “found a paintball gun used in the attack,” playing paintball in both the car and the garage, the affidavit says.
The man confirmed with the FBI that he was actually driving the car when the Paintball Round was fired, the affidavit says.
In a text message between the suspect and the driver on the night of June 9, documents showed that the driver opposed the suspect in the shooting of federal officials. “[I]They’re coming for me for that paintball… sorry, I’m not going to prison,” the driver wrote.
“[T]It’s not a hona [gonna] The suspect is allegedly texted.
“I told them not to shoot them that they’re not part of the immigrants,” replied the driver.
“And you literally shot one with your face buddies… I hope they don’t come to me,” Driver wrote.
The suspect was arrested Friday and appeared before a federal magistrate on Monday. According to FBI spokesman Laura Eimiller, Manriquez was released on bonds to monitor the house.
Many others face federal charges related to their activities during protests against immigrant attacks. Crime allegations include throwing Molotov cocktails on sheriff’s behalf, or throwing cinder blocks at federal law enforcement agencies. But others face prison time for seemingly smaller skirmishes.
One charge that caused a surprise among the public is the decision to claim David Fuerta, president of International Union California, a service employee.
Fuerta was arrested while documenting an immigration enforcement raid in downtown fashion district. Federal officials said Huerta intentionally blocked the vehicle and interfered with the agent’s access to the work site running a search warrant. Videos of the arrest show Labour leaders being pushed into by authorities with a riot device, appearing to fall backwards and hit his head on the curb.
LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman attacked police during a recent protest, robbing the destroyed buildings and bringing charges against those allegedly robbed. Hochman vowed to “strongly protect the rights of people to gather together peacefully,” but warned that those engaged in violence, theft or destruction of their property would face serious consequences.
Times staff writers Salvador Hernandez, Britney Mezia and James Creeley contributed to this report.
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