# ICE Encounter Leaves US Citizen with Broken Arm in Long Beach

> A Saturday confrontation between Ricardo Gonzalez, a U.S. citizen, and federal immigration agents resulted in severe injuries and has drawn local condemnation.

By PrimaryBrief newsroom · Published 2026-10-19T15:38:55.790869Z
Canonical: https://primarybrief.com/article/ice-encounter-leaves-us-citizen-with-broken-arm-in-long-beach-0ba7c392

Ricardo Gonzalez, a 40-year-old U.S. citizen and former Long Beach city employee, suffered a broken arm and other severe injuries on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during an encounter with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in North Long Beach, California [1][2][6]. The incident occurred around noon near Elm Avenue and 56th Street, an area also identified as Locust Avenue and Ellis Street [3][6].

This incident, involving a federal agency and a U.S. citizen, has prompted strong reactions from local officials and raised concerns about federal law enforcement tactics within communities [7][9]. The widespread condemnation from figures like Mayor Rex Richardson and Congressman Robert Garcia highlights the gravity of the situation for residents of Long Beach [7].

## What the records show

ICE personnel requested emergency assistance from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) on Saturday, citing vehicle vandalism and a need for medical aid [1][4]. When LBPD officers arrived, they found Gonzalez handcuffed and bleeding, being detained by ICE agents amidst what police described as a “large group disturbance” [4]. The LBPD stated its officers did not participate in immigration enforcement actions and made no arrests [1][6]. LBPD officers transported Gonzalez to a nearby fire station, where his handcuffs were removed by LBPD personnel [1]. Fire department paramedics then took him to a hospital for medical attention [1][6]. The LBPD also reported that ICE agents who followed officers to a secure parking lot were directed to leave the station [1]. They were later advised to contact the City of Long Beach Communications Center if they wished to file a vandalism report [1].

## The timeline

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, the encounter began in North Long Beach. Conflicting accounts describe the initial moments: Gonzalez's daughter, Leslie Gonzalez, stated he was struck by an unmarked federal vehicle [2][4], while a neighbor identified as Joe reported an agent tackled Gonzalez and accused him of vandalism [3]. During the confrontation, Gonzalez was tased twice, pinned, and handcuffed [2][3]. Videos show him yelling, "Help me, my arm is broken," and "call a paramedic" [4]. Neighbors quickly intervened, blocking federal vehicles and preventing agents from leaving until LBPD arrived [3]. Gonzalez himself also called 911 due to the escalating situation [4]. On Sunday morning, October 18, Gonzalez was seen with his arm in a sling [2][5].

## What changed and for whom

Ricardo Gonzalez sustained a broken arm and other injuries, which have resulted in hospital bills and potential legal expenses [2][5][7]. His daughter, Leslie Gonzalez, initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover these costs, describing her father as one of the "hardest working men" [7][8]. The incident sparked community outcry, with residents actively engaging to prevent ICE agents from departing the scene [3]. Local officials, including Mayor Rex Richardson and Congressman Robert Garcia, publicly condemned the "brutal attack" and called for answers [7].

## What officials have said publicly

Mayor Rex Richardson told CNN on Sunday that he was "outraged" by the incident [4]. He spoke with Gonzalez and his family, who confirmed Gonzalez is a U.S. citizen [4]. Congressman Robert Garcia, the representative for California's 42nd congressional district, condemned ICE in an X post on October 18, writing that "ICE agents brutally attacked" Gonzalez [7].

## What we could not confirm

Details surrounding the initial moments of the encounter remain disputed, with reports varying on whether Gonzalez was struck by a vehicle or accused of vandalism [2][3][4]. While multiple sources identify Ricardo Gonzalez as a U.S. citizen, CNN reported it was working to verify his citizenship status [2][3][4][6][9].

## Evidence cited
1. ICE agents broke US citizen’s arm as they detained him in California, officials say (www.theguardian.com) — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/oct/19/ice-broke-us-citizen-arm-california
2. ICE assaulted a Long Beach resident, causing serious injuries, family says : r/longbeach (reddit.com) — https://reddit.com/r/longbeach/comments/1647r9/ice_assaulted_a_long_beach_resident_causing/
3. Video: Long Beach community blocks ICE agents from leaving neighborhood - Long Beach Post (lbpost.com) — https://lbpost.com/news/long-beach-ice-detention-protest-video
4. A resident of Long Beach, California, was injured during an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Saturday - KQ2 (kq2.com) — https://kq2.com/news/cnn-a-resident-of-long-beach-california-was-injured-during-an-incident-involving-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-on-saturday-according-to-federal-and-local-officials-ricardo-gonzalez-a-forme-11234123
5. ICE assaulted a Long Beach resident, causing serious injuries, family says (lbwatchdog.com) — https://lbwatchdog.com/long-beach-news/ice-assaulted-a-long-beach-resident-causing-serious-injuries-family-says
6. Federal Agents Detain Man In North Long Beach After Confrontation - Long Beach Classic (lbclassic.com) — https://lbclassic.com/long-beach-news/federal-agents-detain-man-in-north-long-beach-after-confrontation/
7. Ricardo Gonzalez: GoFundMe Page Created for Man Injured in ICE Encounter (primetimer.com) — https://primetimer.com/news/ricardo-gonzalez-ice-long-beach-broken-arm
8. Support Ricardo's Fight for Justice and Recovery, organized by Leslie Gonzalez (gofundme.com) — https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-ricardos-fight-for-justice-and-recovery
9. A resident of Long Beach, California, was injured during an incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Saturday - Local News 8 (localnews8.com) — https://localnews8.com/news/cnn-a-resident-of-long-beach-california-was-injured-during-an-incident-involving-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-on-saturday-according-to-federal-and-local-officials-ricardo-gonzalez-a-forme-11234123/
10. Residente de Long Beach, California, resultó herido durante incidente con ICE el sábado - KVIA (kvia.com) — https://kvia.com/news/cnn-a-resident-of-long-beach-california-was-injured-during-an-incident-involving-immigration-and-customs-enforcement-on-saturday-according-to-federal-and-local-officials-ricardo-gonzalez-a-forme-11234123/
11. Family speaks out after man's arm broken in ICE encounter in Long Beach | NBC4 News (youtube.com) — https://youtube.com/watch?v=F3aJ20Q-l0M