Federal authorities are asking for the public's help to identify a woman accused of assaulting officers and stealing an FBI agent's badge at an immigration protest in Concord on Tuesday. A special agent with the FBI said the woman they're looking for was an "instigator" of violence at the demonstration. Officers, some in plainclothes and others wearing jackets with "FBI" lettering, were at the immigration courthouse on Tuesday detaining people.
Video captured by KTVU shows protesters trying to stop federal officers from placing people in their patrol cars. Dan Costin, a special agent with the FBI, said the protesters, upwards of 100, became violent as officers were escorting people to patrol cars. "As we were providing security for our partners, a crowd formed at the immigration facility," Costin said.
"They were exercising their first amendment right to protest. Unfortunately, that protest became violent and assaults occurred on federal employees." In a news release, the FBI said the woman was wearing a hoodie at the time of the incident.
Costin described her as the "lead aggressor." "She seemed to be an instigator of much of the violence. She seemed to be a lead aggressor."
The agency released several photos showing the suspect wearing a face mask and pink hat. In video captured by KTVU at the protest, the woman can be seen swinging and kicking at federal law enforcement officers. Costin said FBI agents were at the Concord courthouse assisting the Department of Homeland Security.
"As an agency, we do have authority to enforce immigration law," he said. He said the FBI has begun participating in immigration enforcement more often with the current federal administration. The FBI is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the woman and return of the officer's badge.
Those with information on the suspect are asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. You can also contact your local FBI office, the nearest Embassy or Consulate, or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. The protest in Concord was one of many against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration.
