Gunfire hit the outside of a federal immigration office in central Phoenix on Tuesday afternoon, and the FBI says it is now leading the hunt for whoever pulled the trigger. Multiple rounds struck the exterior of the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) building on North Central Avenue, according to federal officials. No injuries were reported.
In a post on X, FBI Phoenix said “unidentified people discharged several rounds that struck the exterior of the structure” and urged anyone who noticed suspicious activity in the area Tuesday afternoon to contact investigators. The post listed the bureau’s tip line and asked witnesses to call 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit information online. As of this writing, the bureau has not released any details about possible suspects or a motive.
What Investigators Say
Investigators are treating the incident as a shooting that hit the outside of the building, but they are keeping operational details close to the vest for now. The FBI is asking anyone who was near North Central Avenue on Tuesday afternoon and has photos, video, or other information to come forward, according to the bureau’s public notice. Even small details, they say, could help piece together what happened.
What ERO Is
Enforcement and Removal Operations is the Immigration and Customs Enforcement arm responsible for interior immigration arrests and removals. The Phoenix office at the targeted location oversees regional ERO activity, according to ICE. The site houses federal immigration staff and administrative functions rather than a public courtroom or local law enforcement agency.
Local Context
The shooting comes after months of heightened focus and protest activity around federal immigration enforcement in the Valley, including high-profile federal operations earlier this year that drew demonstrators, per Axios Phoenix. Any gunfire near a federal facility is likely to rattle nearby workers and residents and typically prompts a swift federal response.
How to Help Investigators
Anyone with information, photos, or video from the North Central Avenue area on Tuesday afternoon is urged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or use the bureau’s online tip system. Officials say FBI Phoenix will provide updates through its official channels as more information becomes available and the active investigation continues.
