A Columbus mother is calling for an investigation after ICE agents allegedly sprayed pepper spray into her vehicle near Easton Town Center, affecting her and three children.
ICE Agents Pepper Spray Car with Children in Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A Columbus mother is asking for an investigation after she says two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents deployed pepper spray into her vehicle while her three children were inside.
The incident happened Dec. 21 near Easton Town Center. Video recorded from inside the vehicle shows the mother and her daughters ages 18, 15 and 11 after shopping in the area. The family says they noticed ICE agents nearby and warned others in Spanish.
Moments later, two agents in a white Dodge Durango pulled alongside the driver’s side window and discharged pepper spray into the open window as they drove past, according to video shared with local media.
“Our eyes were burning, and I had crying kids,” the mother said. She requested anonymity over concerns about retaliation.
After the spray was deployed, the agents activated their lights and drove away, according to video. The mother said she briefly followed the vehicle before stopping.
ICE Responds
A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the incident was connected to another reported use-of-force event at a nearby Dollar Tree store.
In a statement, ICE said “anti-ICE agitators targeted, followed and verbally harassed off-duty ICE officers” and blocked agents from leaving the store, prompting them to deploy pepper spray to clear a path.
The agency did not clarify why pepper spray appeared to be used more than once or why it was discharged toward a moving vehicle. ICE policy states pepper spray should be used only to the minimum extent necessary to restore order and protect safety, and after attempts at de-escalation.
The incident occurred during a targeted immigration enforcement effort known as “Operation Buckeye.”
Police Response and Investigation
The 18-year-old daughter called 911 to report the incident. Officers with the Columbus Division of Police met the family at a nearby fire station and took an assault report.
Images taken afterward show irritation to the family’s faces and orange residue inside the vehicle. Audio from the 911 call captures coughing and distress from those inside the car.
Attorney Grant Carpenter, who represents the mother, said his client was seated in her vehicle and did not threaten the agents.
“My client was not threatening anyone. She didn’t have a weapon. She was warning others,” Carpenter said.
The family says they were later informed the case was closed. Carpenter argues the investigation did not fully examine available evidence, including video footage and a license plate number.
Sgt. Joe Albert of Columbus police said the division is reviewing the incident to ensure policies were followed.
The mother and her attorney are requesting that Columbus police reopen the case and that the Department of Homeland Security review the agents’ actions.
“It was dangerous to spray someone driving a car,” the mother said, adding she is grateful no one was more seriously hurt.
An ICE spokesperson said all use-of-force incidents are required to be reported and reviewed under agency and Department of Homeland Security policies.
The matter remains under investigation.
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