Imagine a 79-year-old American citizen, minding his own business, suddenly finding himself at the center of a shocking incident involving federal agents. This is the reality for Rafie Ollah Shouhed, a car wash owner in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, who has taken a bold step by filing a $50 million federal administrative claim. He alleges that during a raid earlier this month, he was violently body-slammed and detained by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
On September 9, Shouhed experienced a traumatic event that left him with serious injuries, including multiple broken ribs, elbow damage, and a traumatic brain injury, as detailed in the tort claim submitted by his legal representatives. The claim paints a disturbing picture of the incident, which was captured on surveillance footage. The video shows ICE and Border Patrol agents arriving at his car wash, where one agent appears to detain another individual in the parking lot. When Shouhed approached to offer assistance, he was met with aggression; an agent reportedly began to struggle with him before forcefully taking him to the ground.
In his claim, Shouhed recounts a harrowing moment when he tried to present proof of his employees' work authorization to the agents. Instead of receiving help, he alleges that the agents responded with hostility, cursing at him and then violently slamming him onto the pavement. The situation escalated as three agents allegedly restrained him, with one placing a knee on his neck, a move that raises serious concerns about the use of excessive force.
Shouhed recalls pleading with the agents, saying, "If there is anything I can do for you, let me help you. I have papers for these guys." However, the agents reportedly dismissed him with a chilling response: "You don't f--- with ICE. We are here."
At a press conference held with his legal team, Shouhed shared his traumatic experience, stating, "Three big people were sitting on my back, the way they tore me down... I was begging them. I have a heart condition." This highlights not only the physical but also the emotional toll such an encounter can take on an elderly individual.
The claim further alleges that once Shouhed was taken to the Metropolitan Detention Center, authorities recognized him as a U.S. citizen almost immediately. Despite this, he was reportedly held for nearly 12 hours without receiving any medical attention, raising serious questions about the treatment of individuals in custody.
Filed against the Department of Homeland Security and its associated agencies, the tort claim accuses them of assault, battery, civil rights violations, and a blatant disregard for serious medical needs. It also asserts that these agencies have policies that "tolerate and condone the use of excessive force," a statement that could ignite a heated debate about the practices of federal law enforcement.
V. James DeSimone, Shouhed's attorney, expressed outrage over the incident, stating, "This was an outrageous and unlawful assault on a 79-year-old American citizen in his own place of business. If this can happen in broad daylight to an American senior citizen who committed no crime, it can happen to anyone." This statement raises an important question: how safe are we in our own communities when such incidents occur?
Following the incident, Shouhed was forced to temporarily close his business, as his employees, including U.S. citizens, became too frightened to return to work. This not only affects Shouhed's livelihood but also highlights the broader implications of fear instilled in communities by such aggressive actions.
As of now, federal officials have not publicly responded to the claim, and inquiries made by ABC News to the Department of Homeland Security regarding Shouhed's situation have gone unanswered. This silence leaves many wondering about the accountability of federal agencies and the treatment of citizens in similar situations. What are your thoughts on this incident? Do you believe that the use of force by federal agents is justified in such circumstances? We invite you to share your opinions in the comments.
