At a Glance
- An off-duty ICE agent shot and killed Keith Porter, 43, in Northridge on New Year’s Eve.
- Family and activists told the LAPD Board the unnamed agent must be named, arrested, and prosecuted.
- DHS claims Porter pointed a rifle at the agent; the family is weighing a federal lawsuit.
- Two GoFundMe drives have topped $300,000 for Porter’s two children.
Why it matters: The case fuels debate over how quickly federal officers are identified and charged after lethal force incidents.
Activists and relatives of Keith Porter stormed the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners Tuesday, insisting the LAPD fully investigate the father of two after an off-duty ICE agent shot him minutes before 2026 began.
The public-comment showdown marked the board’s first meeting of the year and came more than two weeks after Porter, 43, died on a Northridge sidewalk.
Family: ‘We Need the Suspect Arrested’
Porter’s cousin Jsane Tyler delivered a blunt ultimatum to the commissioners.
> “We need the suspect named, we need the suspect arrested, we need this suspect charged, and we need him prosecuted,” Tyler said. “Had that been anyone else, procedures would have been followed.”
The agent’s identity has not been released. Tyler told the board that silence sends a message that federal officers receive special treatment.
Timeline of the Shooting
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| 11:00 p.m., Dec. 31 | Off-duty ICE agent says he saw Porter firing a rifle, possibly into the air. |
| Confrontation | Agent claims Porter pointed the rifle at him. |
| Outcome | Agent fatally shoots Porter. |
| Aftermath | DHS opens internal probe; LAPD launches separate investigation. |
Department of Homeland Security officials issued a statement the night of the shooting, asserting Porter aimed the weapon at the agent. The agency has not clarified whether the rifle was recovered or if any footage exists.
Fundraising Surpasses $300,000
Supporters launched two separate GoFundMe campaigns for Porter’s children. Combined donations exceeded $300,000 by Tuesday, according to News Of Losangeles‘s review of the pages.
Family attorney discussions about a potential civil-rights lawsuit against the federal government are already under way, though no complaint has been filed.
LAPD and DHS Dual Investigations
DHS said its internal-affairs unit is reviewing the shooting. LAPD detectives are conducting a parallel homicide investigation, standard when a federal officer discharges a weapon off duty inside city limits.
Neither agency has set a timeline for completion or public release of findings.
‘He Was a Light’
Tyler described her cousin as a devoted father and beloved relative.
> “He was a light in our family and he was a light for everyone that came encounter with him,” she told commissioners.
Activists echoed the family’s call, urging the board to press federal partners for transparency.
Commissioners took no formal action Tuesday, citing ongoing investigations.
Key Takeaways
- The off-duty ICE agent remains unnamed and has not been arrested.
- Dual investigations by DHS and LAPD continue without a deadline.
- Porter’s family is exploring legal options and has seen massive community support.
- The case highlights tension between local oversight and federal officer accountability.
