Federal agent throws tear gas canister from SUV on busy Chicago street
By Charlie De Mar, Todd Feurer
Click here for updates on this story
CHICAGO (WBBM) — Federal agents threw a tear gas canister at people on a busy street in the Logan Square neighborhood on Friday outside a grocery store and near an elementary school.
Cell phone video shows what appears to be uniformed federal immigration agents throwing a tear gas canister from their SUV just before noon near the Rico Fresh supermarket in Logan Square. A person on a scooter was stopped in front of the SUV at the time.
Surveillance video showing an overhead view of what happened shows the street filling with tear gas clouds and people starting to disperse.
“I felt tear gas immediately hit my eyes and nose,” witness Albany Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez works nearby and recorded video of the incident.
Local News Federal agent throws tear gas canister from SUV on busy Chicago street chicago By Charlie De Mar, Todd Feurer Updated on: October 3, 2025 / 10:23 PM CDT / CBS Chicago
Federal agents threw a tear gas canister at people on a busy street in the Logan Square neighborhood on Friday outside a grocery store and near an elementary school.
Cell phone video shows what appears to be uniformed federal immigration agents throwing a tear gas canister from their SUV just before noon near the Rico Fresh supermarket in Logan Square. A person on a scooter was stopped in front of the SUV at the time.
Surveillance video showing an overhead view of what happened shows the street filling with tear gas clouds and people starting to disperse.
“I felt tear gas immediately hit my eyes and nose,” witness Albany Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez works nearby and recorded video of the incident.
00:13
02:00 See More
“I just think these tactics are disgusting and they’re inhumane,” she said.
After throwing the tear gas canister, the agents left the scene.
Neighbors were outraged that the incident happened in front of Funston Elementary School. Volunteers arrived at the school ahead of dismissal to make sure kids got home safely.
“There was a call put out to help protect kids as they try to walk home and not have to deal with this violence,” volunteer Tania Kadakia said. “I can’t believe this is the United States of America.”
Fellow volunteer Kari Solberg said she witnessed the incident, and was a victim of the tear gas.
“I don’t know if it was tear gas or smoke bombs or what the proper terminology is, but those went off, and as soon as it hit my face and hit my eyes, I knew that I couldn’t be out in it, so I just ran back and got in my car,” she said. “I don’t feel safe. I feel sad for my neighbors. I feel anxious about the future.”
In a letter to parents, Funston principal Sarah Trevino-Terronez said, while the incident didn’t happen on school grounds, the school held recess indoors for the remainder of the day as a precaution.
“Our school operations were not otherwise impacted, and all of our students and staff members are safe,” she wrote. “I want to emphasize that school is the best and safest place for our students. Our staff is well-versed in the proper protocols for keeping our students and school community safe in case federal law enforcement representatives attempt to enter school property or interact with students or staff.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the agents’ actions in a statement posted on social media.
“ICE’s abusive tactics have no place in our city, and our elected officials will continue to stand with residents against this attempt to stoke fear and intimidation,” he wrote.
CBS News Chicago legal analyst Irv Miller said someone should file a police report about the incident with the Chicago Police Department.
Miller said, while the agent’s actions might be justified if he was in fear for his safety when he threw the tear gas canister, if not he could potentially face criminal charges.
“The problem is, we don’t know what was happening to him at the moment he did that. Was he in fear of his own safety at the time and had to do it, or was he just seeing this motorcycle in front of him that wouldn’t move, and he just decided to throw it for no apparent reason?” Miller said. “One, it’s a violation of law if he didn’t have a legitimate reason – being in fear of his own safety – but the other is you can’t do it for no reason. You’re committing an assault.”
Miller said he expects anyone who might have been affected by the tear gas, or parents of children at the nearby school might seek to file a police report over the incident.
Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.