Driver ‘weaponized’ van, drove at Homeland Security staff in Charlotte, DHS says

The ongoing Border Patrol operation in Charlotte turned potentially dangerous when a van driver “weaponized his vehicle” against federal agents, according to a Homeland Security social media post.

A criminal complaint reports the incident happened around 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16, when the Dodge Sprinter van struck an SUV being used by federal agents.

One law enforcement officer was injured, federal officials said.

The driver was identified as Miguel Angel Garcia Martinez, and he is charged with felony assault, resisting arrest and impeding a federal officer, WSOC reports.

“This afternoon in Charlotte near University City, a United States citizen weaponized his vehicle, driving a large van at law enforcement while they were conducting an operation,” Homeland Security officials said in the post.

“He immediately fled the scene, starting a dangerous high-speed chase through a densely populated area. During the chase, he attempted to ram into law enforcement vehicles — posing a serious public safety threat. As agents were boxing him in — the driver proceeded to ram law enforcement vehicles in an attempt to escape.”

A firearm was found in the van, officials said.

The driver was taken to a hospital, treated and released, officials said. Details of the driver’s injuries were not released.

When questioned, Martinez told federal agents “he was attempting to locate Border Patrol to confirm their locations and upload pictures into an invitation only Instagram group chat,” federal officials said in the criminal complaint.

Agents took notice when his van got “within eight or 10 feet of Border Patrol vehicles” while he was taking pictures, officials said.

“Two Border Patrol Officers exited their vehicles and began giving Martinez commands to exit his vehicle. One Border Patrol officer grabbed the handle of Martinez’s van and attempted to open the door. Martinez accelerated the van away while the Border Patrol Officer pounded on the Sprinter Van,” the criminal complaint states.

U.S. Border Patrol field boss Gregory Bovino said the driver “assaulted Border Patrol and ICE agents with his vehicle” and drove erratically during the pursuit. “He will face stiff consequences for assault,” Borvino said in a social media post.

The incident happened during the second day of an ongoing federal Border Patrol operation in Charlotte, targeting people accused of being in the country illegally, federal officials say.

This story was originally published November 17, 2025 at 7:55 AM with the headline "Driver ‘weaponized’ van, drove at Homeland Security staff in Charlotte, DHS says."