Chicago’s Police Superintendent Larry Snelling forcefully denied claims Monday that officers were told to “stand down” after two violent encounters between federal agents and drivers over the weekend, warning that anyone who rams or blocks law enforcement vehicles could face deadly consequences.
“If you ram any vehicle, especially one that contains law enforcement agents … this is considered deadly force,” Snelling said during a Monday news briefing. “And they can use deadly force in response to stop you.”
Snelling’s comments followed a weekend of escalating violence in Chicago, including two incidents in which federal agents were rammed by vehicles. One suspect, Marimar Martinez, was shot and wounded after allegedly striking a Border Patrol vehicle Saturday. Another driver, Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, was arrested following a similar ramming incident later that day. No agents were injured, police said.
According to city police records, Martinez’s shooting was among 22 violent incidents between Friday evening and Sunday night, leaving 29 people shot and four dead.
Snelling warned protesters and agitators that any attempt to box in or block law enforcement vehicles will be treated as an act of deadly force.
“If you box them in with vehicles, it is reasonable for them to believe that they are being ambushed,” Snelling said. “Do not box in any law enforcement officer. You are breaking the law and putting yourself in danger.”
The superintendent outlined a detailed timeline of events, showing that Chicago police responded promptly to calls involving federal agents and denied that any “stand down” directive was issued. He emphasized that his officers were on scene within minutes and remained in support of federal personnel throughout the unrest.
Snelling added that 27 CPD officers were exposed to tear gas deployed by federal agents attempting to disperse crowds and remove protesters blocking the area.
Despite Snelling’s statements, Fox News Digital obtained what appears to be a dispatch log suggesting a “stand down” message may have come from the department’s chief of patrol. A retired senior officer told the outlet that “radio tapes and the dispatch message screen speak for themselves,” adding that Snelling faces political pressure amid the fallout.
Snelling rejected that assertion.
“I would not tell our officers to stand down,” he said. “If our officers were in trouble and we needed help, I would expect other officers to step in and help us.”
The weekend’s incidents underscore the growing tension between local protesters, federal law enforcement, and Chicago police as violence in the city continues to rise.
