A pastor has claimed he received no prior warning before being shot by ICE agents during what he describes as a peaceful protest.
A video showing ICE agents positioned on a rooftop while protestors gathered below on the street has gained traction on social media.
While videos of protests are increasingly common, this particular footage has drawn attention due to the treatment of one protestor, a pastor, by the agents.
Reverend David Black, from the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, appeared to be in prayer when he was struck in the face by a pepper ball.
Black maintains that he was praying for both the officers and those being detained when he was unexpectedly shot, during a protest in Illinois last month.
The pastor, speaking to CNN about the incident, expressed that he found the experience to be ‘disturbing.’
He stated: “We could hear them laughing as they were shooting us from the roof, and it was deeply disturbing.
“We got to witness a few things about these ICE agents operating in broad view, and really it has shown us how disorganized they are and how poorly supervised and trained they are.”
Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary with the Department of Homeland Security, appeared to justify the actions of the ICE agents.
She contended that the demonstrators were blocking an ICE vehicle from exiting the federal facility and impeding operations.
Furthermore, McLaughlin claimed that protesters had thrown rocks, bottles, and fireworks at the authorities on the roof.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, she commented: “Obstructing law enforcement puts officers, detainees, and the public at risk. If you are obstructing law enforcement you can expect to be met with force.”
The pastor refuted McLaughlin’s account, labeling it as ‘categorically false.’
He remarked: “There were no ICE vehicles attempting to leave the facility.
“I was standing to the side in a gesture of prayer and praying verbally for the ICE officers and those detained inside.”
He also responded to a tweet from McLaughlin where she accused Black of making rude gestures at the ICE agents.
Black responded: “I find it interesting that this individual believes I flipped them the bird, because theologically, as I have been praying for all of these people. I’ve been hoping that the Holy Spirit will descend upon them and open their hearts and minds.
“To the extent that the Holy Spirit appears as a bird, perhaps there is spiritual truth to her claim.”
Requests have been made for a comment from Homeland Security.