December 31, 2025
ICE agent with abuse history kills man celebrating New Year
Father of two shot dead while firing celebratory gunshots into air
⚖️Justice✊Civil Rights🔐Ethics
Keith Porter Jr., a 43-year-old father of two from Compton, was killed on Dec. 31, 2025 around 11:30 p.m. in the 17700 block of Roscoe Boulevard in Northridge. He was firing a gun into the air to celebrate New Year's Eve, which is a felony in California and can be dangerous.
Brian Palacios, an off-duty U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who lived in the same apartment complex, shot and killed Porter. The Department of Homeland Security described the incident as Palacios responding to an 'active shooter situation' at his apartment complex.
Porter's family and local activists dispute the 'active shooter' label. Porter's cousin Jsané Tyler confirmed he was firing a newly acquired gun into the air to celebrate, not targeting anyone. Activists argue that while Porter broke the law, he wasn't an active threat to residents.
Palacios' identity wasn't released by ICE or DHS. His name became public through a sworn declaration filed by attorney Michelle Diaz in a custody dispute between Palacios' girlfriend and her ex-husband. The document stated 'based on information and belief' that Palacios was the shooter.
A Los Angeles County judge barred Palacios from being around his girlfriend's children from a previous marriage. Court filings alleged that Palacios whipped his biological sons with a belt. The children also accused Palacios of using homophobic slurs and making racist remarks about Black and Latino people.
The Los Angeles Police Department hasn't interviewed Palacios about the shooting. He hasn't been arrested. The Justice System Integrity Division, which investigates killings by law enforcement officers, is handling the case.
Community members and Porter's family have organized protests demanding that Palacios be named publicly and arrested. Multiple petitions are circulating online calling for accountability in Porter's death.
⚖️Justice✊Civil Rights🔐Ethics
People, bills, and sources
Keith Porter Jr.
Victim
Brian Palacios
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officer
Jsané Tyler
Keith Porter Jr.'s cousin
Michelle Diaz
Attorney
What you can do
1
civic action
Demand transparency from ICE and DHS
Federal agencies haven't released the officer's name or allowed local police to interview him. You can contact your representatives to demand accountability and transparency in federal law enforcement shootings.
Hello, I'm calling about the shooting of Keith Porter Jr. by an ICE agent on Dec. 31, 2025. The agent hasn't been arrested or even interviewed by LAPD. Federal agencies are blocking transparency. I want to know: Does the representative support requiring federal law enforcement officers to be subject to the same accountability as local police? Will they push for legislation requiring independent investigations of federal officer-involved shootings? Please share my concerns with the representative.
2
civic action
Support the Porter family's call for justice
Sign petitions and attend protests demanding that the ICE agent who killed Keith Porter Jr. be publicly named and held accountable. Community pressure can push for transparency when federal agencies resist.
3
education
Learn about federal vs. local law enforcement accountability
When federal officers kill someone, federal agencies investigate themselves. Local prosecutors rarely challenge these investigations. Understanding this power dynamic helps you advocate for reform.