- Federal authorities are searching for 40-year-old Elpidio Reyna, who hurled cinderblock fragments at federal officers during an anti-ICE riot in Los Angeles.
- The FBI has identified Reyna and is actively searching for him, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
- Federal officials stress that violence against law enforcement will be prosecuted, with Reyna facing up to 8 years in prison if convicted.
Authorities are hunting for a violent protester who took lawlessness to the next level during a weekend riot in Los Angeles. The FBI has zeroed in on 40-year-old Elpidio Reyna, whom they say hurled cinderblock fragments at federal law enforcement vehicles during a heated anti-ICE protest. The incident, which quickly gained national attention, occurred Saturday in the suburb of Paramount, where federal officers dodged concrete projectiles as they exited a command post.
A Brazen Act Sparks Federal Outrage
Attorney General Pam Bondi did not mince words during her Monday appearance on Fox News. โThis guy has just been identified. A search warrant is being served on his residence right now,โ she told host Sean Hannity. โYou can run, but you canโt hide,โ she warned other potential offenders who may have participated in the violence.
Federal officials say Reyna didnโt just damage propertyโhe endangered lives. Video footage shows him striking at least eight vehicles speeding down Alondra Boulevard. The vehicles belonged to federal agents, and the attack happened in broad daylight as bystanders cheered in Spanish. Many of them held up phones to record the chaos, while Reyna, masked and hidden behind sunglasses and a motorcycle helmet, threw chunks of broken concrete at the officers.
โWanted and Dangerousโ
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, who leads the Central District of California, later identified the suspect by name on social media. โWANTED: Elpidio Reyna can run, but he canโt hide,โ he posted on X (formerly Twitter). โThis was a brazen and violent assault on federal officers, and it could have easily resulted in tragedy.โ
Reyna has been formally charged with assault on a federal officer, a serious federal offense that carries a potential sentence of up to eight years in prison. As of now, he remains at large, but law enforcement is confident itโs only a matter of time before heโs behind bars. The FBIโs Los Angeles field office confirmed theyโre actively tracking him down. โOur investigation is ongoing,โ a spokesperson told The Post, urging the public to come forward with any tips.
To speed up the capture, the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for any information that leads to Reynaโs identification, arrest, and conviction. That figure reflects the level of concern federal authorities have about the violence spiraling out of control in recent demonstrations.
Lawlessness or Protest?
While many in the community gathered to protest ICE operations and immigration policies, a small group turned the demonstration violent. Federal agents reported that individuals smashed cinderblocks on the street and hurled the fragments at law enforcement vehicles. Authorities say the attack appeared deliberate and coordinatedโnot spontaneous.
This wasnโt just a protester acting outโit was a deliberate attack,โ Bondi said. โWeโre done with the chaos. If you think you can spit on officers, loot stores, or assault federal agents and get away with it, think again.
Bondi emphasized the difference between peaceful protest and violent rebellion. โYou want to protest? Thatโs your right,โ she said. โBut throwing bricks? Thatโs a crime, and weโre going to treat it like one.โ
A City in Crisis
The streets of Los Angeles have seen a troubling rise in clashes between law enforcement and protesters, especially when federal agencies become involved. Saturdayโs riot was one of several incidents over the past few months where tensions erupted into violence. Critics argue that local officials have failed to control the streets, allowing anger to spiral into mayhem.
Bondi didnโt hold back in her criticism of local and state leaders. โIt looks like a third-world country out there,โ she said bluntly. โBut itโs notโitโs the United States of America. And we are not standing for it anymore.โ
She added that the Justice Department is currently working on nine open cases involving assaults on federal officers in the area, with more expected to follow as investigations continue.
Public Reaction Divides
As expected, the incident sparked mixed reactions from the public. Supporters of law enforcement are demanding swift action and tougher penalties for violent protesters. Many have taken to social media to praise the FBIโs work and express outrage that someone would attack officers trying to maintain order.
โI hope they catch him soon,โ one local resident posted online. โThat kind of violence makes everything worse. Itโs not justiceโitโs chaos.โ
Others, however, point to deep-seated anger and mistrust of federal agencies, especially those involved in immigration enforcement. โPeople are frustrated, and they feel ignored,โ one activist said. โThat doesnโt excuse violence, but itโs not coming from nowhere.โ
The Hunt Continues
As the search for Reyna continues, federal officials say they are working around the clock to track his movements. They believe he may be receiving help from others in the community, which could complicate efforts to arrest him quickly.
โWeโre urging anyone who knows where he is to come forward,โ said the FBI spokesperson. โThis is a serious matter. Someone could have been killed.โ
Authorities have already released multiple photographs of the suspect, showing him from different angles during the attack. Heโs dressed in all black, with layers of headgear and facial coverings designed to hide his identityโbut not well enough to escape the FBIโs scrutiny.
As the FBI closes in, all eyes are on Los Angeles. And many are asking the same question: how did we get to a point where throwing bricks at police became part of the narrative? Whatever the answer, authorities are determined to draw the lineโfirmly, and fast.