It began with a viral photo on Reddit: a heavily armed federal agent , finger near the trigger, aiming a crowd-control launcher at a protester on a quiet Chicago street. Posted under the headline “ICE aims gun at Americans,” it racked up more than 119,000 upvotes and fuelled outrage, speculation and fear. But behind the image lay a far bigger story — a federal chase that ended with a deliberate crash, tear gas fired into a residential crowd, a teenager detained without charge, and growing questions about how US immigration enforcement came to look more like a paramilitary raid than a police action.
The photo — and its original caption
The image that set Reddit ablaze this week is not an AI fake or a classically misattributed photo. It was taken by Anthony Vazquez of the Chicago Sun-Times and first published with the following caption: “A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent points a crowd control weapon at a protester Tuesday at East 105th Street and South Avenue N in the East Side neighborhood. Protesters gathered as ICE awaited the removal of its vehicle after it crashed during a pursuit. — Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times "
Driving the news
A post titled “ICE aims gun at Americans” on r/pics quickly went viral this week, amassing over 119,000 upvotes, nearly 7,000 downvotes, and thousands of comments within 24 hours. The photograph shows a heavily armed immigration agent pointing a weapon at a protester on a residential street — a scene that triggered outrage, disbelief, and speculation across social media.
Many commenters focused on the optics. “These guys are meant to be hunting terrorists, not teenagers,” wrote one user. Another pointed out, “That finger is fully on the trigger.” Others debated whether the device was a firearm or a “less-lethal” launcher capable of inflicting serious injury at close range. Some accused ICE of behaving like a “paramilitary organisation,” while others suggested the operation was part of a political effort to provoke unrest before the possible invocation of the Insurrection Act.
Amid the speculation, several users emphasised the importance of attribution, identifying the Chicago Sun-Times and Vazquez as the original source of the image and urging proper credit “in the post-AI era.”
What actually happened on the ground
The image was taken on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, during a federal immigration enforcement operation that escalated dramatically in Chicago’s East Side neighbourhood. According to detailed reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times, federal agents in a white SUV were pursuing a red SUV shortly after 11 a.m. when they used a precision immobilisation technique (PIT) — a ramming manoeuvre banned by many police departments — to force the vehicle off the road.
The two men inside, who officials allege were undocumented, fled on foot and were quickly arrested. But the aggressive stop and heavy federal presence soon drew dozens of residents and protesters to the intersection of East 105th Street and South Avenue N. As the crowd grew, federal agents — including members of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) — escalated their tactics. They deployed smoke grenades, fired pepper balls, and launched at least three rounds of tear gas into the crowd, even though children, elderly residents, and bystanders were present.
One teenage girl was reportedly struck in the head by a tear gas canister. At least four protesters were detained, and thirteen Chicago police officers — present only to document the crash — were also overcome by chemical irritants. The weapon seen in the viral photograph was a crowd-control launcher, not a conventional firearm, but its use in a civilian setting has intensified criticism of ICE’s increasingly militarised posture.
A US citizen detained without charges
One of the most controversial aspects of the incident involved a 15-year-old US citizen who was detained during the confrontation. According to the report in the Chicago Sun-Times, the teenager was tackled, handcuffed, and held for five hours without being informed of any charges, read his rights, or allowed to contact his family. He was transported to a federal facility not affiliated with ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP), held in a garage while handcuffed, and never formally booked.
“This is not law enforcement ,” civil rights attorney Antonio Romanucci told the newspaper. “This is the playbook of authoritarian regimes.” The teenager’s mother, who rushed to the scene in tears, said, “They slammed him to the ground. He was violated. I just want my baby back.”
Why it matters
The viral photo may have been shared as a meme, but the events behind it raise significant questions about law enforcement, civil liberties, and the growing militarisation of immigration operations. The use of a PIT manoeuvre, chemical weapons, and less-lethal launchers in a densely populated residential area highlights the blurred line between policing and paramilitary tactics. And the detention of a US citizen without charges underscores concerns about due process and federal overreach.
The big picture
The viral image is authentic and was captured by Sun-Times photographer Anthony Vazquez on 14 October 2025.
Bottom line: The Reddit photo is real — and while the weapon aimed at protesters appears to be a crowd-control launcher rather than a firearm, the image reflects a deeper reality. Immigration enforcement in the United States is increasingly defined by militarised tactics and sweeping authority, sometimes with ordinary American citizens caught in the crossfire.
The photo — and its original caption
The image that set Reddit ablaze this week is not an AI fake or a classically misattributed photo. It was taken by Anthony Vazquez of the Chicago Sun-Times and first published with the following caption: “A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent points a crowd control weapon at a protester Tuesday at East 105th Street and South Avenue N in the East Side neighborhood. Protesters gathered as ICE awaited the removal of its vehicle after it crashed during a pursuit. — Anthony Vazquez / Chicago Sun-Times "
Driving the news
A post titled “ICE aims gun at Americans” on r/pics quickly went viral this week, amassing over 119,000 upvotes, nearly 7,000 downvotes, and thousands of comments within 24 hours. The photograph shows a heavily armed immigration agent pointing a weapon at a protester on a residential street — a scene that triggered outrage, disbelief, and speculation across social media.
Many commenters focused on the optics. “These guys are meant to be hunting terrorists, not teenagers,” wrote one user. Another pointed out, “That finger is fully on the trigger.” Others debated whether the device was a firearm or a “less-lethal” launcher capable of inflicting serious injury at close range. Some accused ICE of behaving like a “paramilitary organisation,” while others suggested the operation was part of a political effort to provoke unrest before the possible invocation of the Insurrection Act.
Amid the speculation, several users emphasised the importance of attribution, identifying the Chicago Sun-Times and Vazquez as the original source of the image and urging proper credit “in the post-AI era.”
What actually happened on the ground
The image was taken on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, during a federal immigration enforcement operation that escalated dramatically in Chicago’s East Side neighbourhood. According to detailed reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times, federal agents in a white SUV were pursuing a red SUV shortly after 11 a.m. when they used a precision immobilisation technique (PIT) — a ramming manoeuvre banned by many police departments — to force the vehicle off the road.
The two men inside, who officials allege were undocumented, fled on foot and were quickly arrested. But the aggressive stop and heavy federal presence soon drew dozens of residents and protesters to the intersection of East 105th Street and South Avenue N. As the crowd grew, federal agents — including members of the Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) — escalated their tactics. They deployed smoke grenades, fired pepper balls, and launched at least three rounds of tear gas into the crowd, even though children, elderly residents, and bystanders were present.
One teenage girl was reportedly struck in the head by a tear gas canister. At least four protesters were detained, and thirteen Chicago police officers — present only to document the crash — were also overcome by chemical irritants. The weapon seen in the viral photograph was a crowd-control launcher, not a conventional firearm, but its use in a civilian setting has intensified criticism of ICE’s increasingly militarised posture.
A US citizen detained without charges
One of the most controversial aspects of the incident involved a 15-year-old US citizen who was detained during the confrontation. According to the report in the Chicago Sun-Times, the teenager was tackled, handcuffed, and held for five hours without being informed of any charges, read his rights, or allowed to contact his family. He was transported to a federal facility not affiliated with ICE or Customs and Border Protection (CBP), held in a garage while handcuffed, and never formally booked.
“This is not law enforcement ,” civil rights attorney Antonio Romanucci told the newspaper. “This is the playbook of authoritarian regimes.” The teenager’s mother, who rushed to the scene in tears, said, “They slammed him to the ground. He was violated. I just want my baby back.”
Why it matters
The viral photo may have been shared as a meme, but the events behind it raise significant questions about law enforcement, civil liberties, and the growing militarisation of immigration operations. The use of a PIT manoeuvre, chemical weapons, and less-lethal launchers in a densely populated residential area highlights the blurred line between policing and paramilitary tactics. And the detention of a US citizen without charges underscores concerns about due process and federal overreach.
The big picture
The viral image is authentic and was captured by Sun-Times photographer Anthony Vazquez on 14 October 2025.
- The incident began with a federal vehicle pursuit that ended with a deliberate ramming manoeuvre.
- Federal agents deployed tear gas, pepper balls, and other crowd-control munitions into a crowd that included children and elderly residents.
- A US citizen teenager was detained without charges, legal counsel, or access to his family.
Bottom line: The Reddit photo is real — and while the weapon aimed at protesters appears to be a crowd-control launcher rather than a firearm, the image reflects a deeper reality. Immigration enforcement in the United States is increasingly defined by militarised tactics and sweeping authority, sometimes with ordinary American citizens caught in the crossfire.
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