Death threats continue to plague Department of Homeland Security officers throughout the country, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently arrested a Washington man who threatened to kill DHS officials. The suspect, Manuel Lozano, a United States citizen, threatened to shoot the federal law enforcement officers with an AR-15-style rifle during a confrontation in May.
According to DHS, Homeland Security Investigations was in pursuit of an illegal immigrant to be arrested when the suspect fled ICE and drove away in a truck on May 19. The illegal immigrant’s vehicle was later located in a residential area in Yakima, Washington, at the house of Lozano. As agents approached the house, they noticed Lozano, who they said was armed, with a pistol visible.
Lozano then warned the agents, telling them, “I’ve got something for you,” before walking to the rear of the house and disappearing briefly, DHS said. He returned with an AR-15-style rifle. As agents backed away, Lozano taunted them.
“I have 60 rounds and have enough to smoke all you,” Lozano allegedly told the HSI agents. “You see an AR and walk away.”
HSI agents returned to Lozano’s residence on June 4 to arrest him for his previous conduct against federal law enforcement officers, said DHS. While conducting a search of Lozano’s house, “two firearms, firearms parts, and mixed ammunition.” He was officially charged with “threats against a federal law enforcement officer.”
Lozano’s threat, and subsequent arrest, come as DHS and ICE officers have experienced a significant increase in death threats and attacks against them in 2026. DHS said that “ICE law enforcement have been facing an 8,000% increase in death threats” in a press release announcing Lozano’s arrest. This includes a “1,300% increase in assaults against them” and a “3,300% increase in vehicle assaults” against them.
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Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has regularly advised that anyone who threatened or endangered his department’s officers would be held accountable and “prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis echoed those sentiments when discussing Lozano’s arrest.
“This man threatened to shoot an HSI agent with an AR-15 rifle,” said Bis. “He has now been charged with threatening a federal law enforcement officer. Secretary Mullin has been clear: anyone who threatens to kill an ICE law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“The men and women in ICE law enforcement are simply doing their jobs and enforcing the laws passed by Congress,” she added. “This violence against ICE law enforcement must end.”