The family of a Los Angeles man shot and killed by an off-duty US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer is demanding criminal charges be brought against the federal agent, amid growing national scrutiny of the agency's use of force.
A Fatal New Year's Eve Confrontation
Keith Porter Jr, a 43-year-old father of two daughters, aged 10 and 20, was fatally shot outside his apartment complex in LA's Northridge neighbourhood on 31 December. According to officials, Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers responded to 911 calls at around 10:40 pm and found Porter on the ground; he was later declared dead at the scene.
Initial statements from authorities presented conflicting narratives. An LAPD spokesperson said after the incident that Porter had fired gunshots into the air. A spokesperson for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, stated the off-duty officer was "forced to defensively use his weapon" while responding to what he perceived as an "active shooter".
ICE added that its officer, who lived at the complex, had "exchanged gunfire" with Porter and was "protecting his community". However, crucial details remain unknown, as there is no known footage of the shooting.
Family and Activists Challenge the Official Narrative
Porter's family, their lawyer, and local activists firmly contest the DHS's version of events. They assert that Porter was not threatening anyone but was instead celebrating the new year, possibly by firing celebratory shots into the air—a practice they acknowledge could warrant a citation but not a death sentence.
Jamal Tooson, the attorney representing Porter's family, told the LA Times he believed several people were firing guns that night. He also cited a witness who said they did not hear the ICE agent identify himself as an officer. Tooson further cast doubt on the claim of an "exchange of gunfire," suggesting a lack of corroborating evidence like shell casings indicating Porter fired toward the agent.
"He should be remembered for his joyful attitude," said Wanda Turner, a longtime friend of the family who considered herself a second mother to Porter. "The officer needs to surrender and do what's right. I want him charged. Even if he thought Keith was doing something wrong, it wasn't his place to just shoot and kill him."
A Pattern of Scrutiny and a Call for Transparency
The outrage surrounding Porter's death has intensified following another high-profile ICE shooting in Minneapolis last week, where Renee Nicole Good was killed. The DHS labelled Good a "domestic terrorist" without evidence, a claim later contradicted by footage of the incident. This has fuelled existing distrust in the agency's accounts.
"We cannot trust what is being shared with us by entities representing ICE agents, because they have not been truthful," said LA city council member Eunisses Hernandez, who is supporting Porter's family.
At a recent LA police commission meeting, organised by groups including Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, community members and Porter's relatives called for the LAPD to disclose the ICE officer's name and pursue charges. Porter's cousin, Jsané Tyler, questioned whether the agent had been sobriety tested or had attempted to render aid, drawing parallels with Good's case where agents were seen blocking bystanders from helping.
"When is there going to be value placed on our lives?" Tyler asked. "I urge you guys, regardless of federal intervention, to really help us, help his family, help our community get justice."
Remembering a 'Wonderful Soul'
As the fight for accountability continues, those who knew Porter are determined to honour his memory against what they see as a character assassination by officials. His mother, Franceola Armstrong, told the LA city council how her son called her every morning to say "I love you".
Adrian Metoyer III, Porter's best friend since 1996, described him as a hilarious joker and the life of the party, nicknamed "Pooter". Metoyer shared that Porter had worked multiple jobs, including as an aide to students with special needs, and was a devoted "girl dad".
In a 2022 interview, Porter reflected on his life, saying, "I got two beautiful young girls and I'm going to raise them the way I'm supposed to… I feel rich… It's gonna be hard to break me, because I have a strong spirit and I grew up with a whole lot of love."
The LA district attorney's office stated it is investigating the case and will review all evidence to determine if the officer acted lawfully. For Porter's family and a growing movement of supporters, anything less than criminal charges will be seen as a failure of justice.
