LA Car Wash Owner Files $50 Million Lawsuit After Violent Encounter with ICE Agents
Van nuys,CA – The owner of a Van Nuys car wash is suing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for $50 million,alleging excessive force and unlawful detention during a September 9th ICE operation. Elias Shouhed claims agents “violently body-slammed him onto the pavement” and detained him for nearly 12 hours despite his U.S.citizenship.
According to a statement from Shouhed’s lawyer’s office, the incident began when Shouhed went outside to “provide proof that his employees where authorized to work” as agents entered the building. He was allegedly met with hostility, sworn at, and physically assaulted. Three agents then jumped on his back, handcuffed him, and ignored his pleas regarding recent heart surgery.
Shouhed was released without charges but required hospital treatment for broken ribs, post-concussive symptoms from a traumatic brain injury, and elbow injuries, as evidenced by photos showing extensive bruising.”I thought this was a nice country, a good country. Why do they do this kind of thing to you?” Shouhed told NBC4 Los Angeles in a subsequent interview.
DHS maintains that Shouhed “impeded the operation and was arrested for assaulting and impeding a federal officer” during the raid, which resulted in the arrest of five undocumented immigrants.Though, Shouhed’s lawyer, V. James DeSimone, argues the incident demonstrates a pattern of ICE using excessive force.”The video shows you, this is the way Ice is operating our community. They use physical force and do not speak to the people to ascertain who is there legally in order to do their job,” DeSimone stated at a press conference.
The lawsuit alleges that Shouhed’s life was put at risk during the encounter and highlights concerns about ICE’s tactics in Los Angeles. DHS, in its statement, affirmed its commitment to enforcing the law in the area “even in the face of danger.”
