CHICAGO — A 38-year-old Mexican immigrant, Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, was fatally shot by a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a large-scale immigration crackdown in Chicago’s Franklin Park suburb. The incident occurred shortly after he dropped his two sons at school and daycare. Authorities claimed he drove his vehicle toward agents during an attempted arrest, prompting one to open fire in self-defence. The tragic event marked the first casualty of the latest US immigration sweep.
However, family members and co-workers described Villegas Gonzalez as a hardworking father who had built a quiet life in the United States. They said he worked long hours as a cook at a local diner, known for his soft-spoken and dependable nature. His manager recalled that he was never late for work without notice, which raised alarm when he failed to show up that morning. Friends and family remembered him as a devoted parent who turned his life around after years of struggle.
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Villegas Gonzalez was born in Irimbo, a small town in Michoacán, Mexico, and followed his older brother to the US in 2007 seeking a better future. He joined the restaurant industry, supporting his family despite financial hardships. Public records showed he had minor traffic violations but no criminal record. Those close to him said he overcame alcohol addiction after being diagnosed with liver disease and had been sober for over a year before his death.
His partner, Blanca Mora, described him as a loving father who focused on family and togetherness. They lived in Franklin Park with their three children, often spending evenings at the library or baking cakes for birthdays. Mora said he avoided phones during meals so the family could bond and talk. She recounted that on the day of the shooting, he had just finished his morning routine with the children before the confrontation with ICE agents unfolded.
Surveillance footage captured moments leading to the shooting, showing ICE agents surrounding his vehicle as he tried to drive away. Gunshots were heard moments later, and his car crashed into a parked truck. His sudden death devastated his family, with his children later placed in foster care. Relatives in Mexico were informed hours later, describing him as a man who left home for opportunity but found tragedy instead. Mora tearfully said, “When he closed his eyes at night, he was thinking about the children.”