Federal Fugitive Captured: Man Accused of Attacking Immigration Agents with Concrete Arrested at Border

In a dramatic conclusion to a month-long federal manhunt, authorities arrested a California man accused of hurling concrete blocks at federal immigration officers during a violent June confrontation. The incident, which injured one federal agent and damaged multiple government vehicles, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing tension between federal enforcement efforts and local resistance in parts of California.

Elpidio Reyna, a 39-year-old resident of Compton, was apprehended early Wednesday morning at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, marking the end of a nationwide search that extended deep into Mexico. FBI agents, with support from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, took Reyna into custody as he surrendered at the border crossing. The arrest was personally announced by FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who has been closely tracking the case.

“You may remember Elpidio Reyna, a subject who allegedly threw rocks at federal officers during immigration operations in California on June 7,” Bongino posted on his official FBI X account. “We got him. He was arrested today at the U.S.-Mexico border. More to come. Those who attack America’s police officers can run but they can’t hide.”

The original incident unfolded in Paramount, California, when federal agents were conducting immigration-related operations in the area. According to officials, the operation attracted protesters who quickly became hostile. As tensions flared, several individuals in the crowd began throwing objects—including glass bottles and large chunks of concrete—at federal officers and vehicles. One officer was injured in the attack, and multiple government vehicles were significantly damaged.

Footage obtained by FOX 11 showed agents retreating from the scene while their vehicles were being struck by projectiles. The chaos prompted a swift response from authorities, who deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The FBI, working alongside Homeland Security investigators, was able to identify Reyna through social media videos and news coverage from the event. Within days of the assault, Reyna had fled the United States, crossing into Mexico and disappearing in the northern state of Sinaloa. His name and likeness were widely circulated in both southern California and across the border, eventually leading to his discovery and apprehension.

Reyna’s arrest wasn’t a straightforward capture, but rather the result of a carefully negotiated surrender. After being located by Mexican authorities, Reyna agreed to turn himself in at the San Ysidro crossing, where he was taken into custody by an officer who, in a remarkable twist, had been inside one of the vehicles damaged in the June attack.

U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Bill Essayli, praised the arrest and underscored the significance of bringing suspects to justice when they target federal law enforcement.

“Elpidio Reyna surrendered today to face a felony charge of assault on a federal officer,” Essayli wrote on X. “He was taken into custody by a brave officer who could have been killed in last month’s reckless and dangerous attack.”

Essayli added a stern warning: “To anyone who thinks they can attack federal officers and hide behind a mask or flee the country—this arrest proves we will find you, charge you, and bring you back. Don’t touch our officers.”

Reyna has been transported to Los Angeles, where he will face his initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate. If convicted, he could face significant prison time under federal statutes related to assaulting law enforcement officers.

The June riot in Paramount was just one part of a broader series of violent demonstrations that broke out across the Los Angeles area in the wake of intensified ICE operations. Protesters clashed with federal officers in several locations, setting fires, damaging property, and blocking access to immigration facilities.

In response to the escalating unrest, the Trump administration ordered the deployment of 700 Marines and federalized more than 4,000 members of the California National Guard. The move sparked backlash from California leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who criticized the federal action as an overreach.

Governor Newsom filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that deploying National Guard troops without his approval violated the Posse Comitatus Act—a federal law limiting the use of military forces for domestic policing. A federal judge initially sided with the governor, ruling that the deployment exceeded the president’s authority. However, that ruling was overturned on appeal, allowing the federal government to maintain control of the troops.

As legal battles continue in the background, officials like Bongino and Essayli have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting federal officers and upholding the rule of law.

“This case sends a clear message,” Bongino concluded. “If you attack those who serve and protect, justice will find you—no matter where you run.