OSINT Dossier: Silverio Villegas Gonzalez - Fatal ICE Shooting¶

Date of Research: February 5, 2026 (updated February 12, 2026)
Published by: Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Subject: Silverio Villegas Gonzalez - Shot and killed by ICE agent during Operation Midway Blitz
Confidence: HIGH
Classification: officer-involved-shooting / killing / homicide

Executive Summary¶

On September 12, 2025, Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, a 38-year-old Mexican father of two young sons and line cook from Chicago's Franklin Park suburb, was shot and killed at close range by an unnamed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during what authorities initially described as a traffic stop that turned into a brief vehicle pursuit. He was the youngest of ten children from Irimbo, Michoacan, Mexico, and had lived in the Chicago area for nearly twenty years. He had just dropped his children -- ages 3 and 7 -- off at daycare and was driving to work when federal agents approached his vehicle.

DHS claimed Villegas Gonzalez "struck the federal agent with his vehicle, dragging the agent a significant distance" before the agent shot him. However, the agent's own subsequent statement downplayed his injuries as "nothing major." DHS also claimed he was a "targeted undocumented immigrant" due to his "criminal background of reckless driving," but investigative journalism by the Chicago Tribune and NBC News found no criminal history -- only four traffic violations, including a 2013 speeding ticket, with no criminal charges ever filed. The ICE agent who shot him has not been publicly named, and no charges have been filed.

Villegas Gonzalez's killing was the first fatal shooting during Operation Midway Blitz, CBP Commander Gregory Bovino's immigration enforcement campaign in the Chicago area. It would be followed three weeks later by the shooting of Marimar Martinez (October 4, 2025), and then by multiple additional shootings and killings in 2026 as the DHS enforcement campaign expanded nationally.

The autopsy by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide and found cocaine in his system, though this was not a contributing factor in the manner-of-death determination. His body was repatriated to Mexico with the assistance of the Mexican Consulate in Chicago and the Michoacan state government, and he was buried in Irimbo on September 26, 2025. His two sons were subsequently placed into foster care in Idaho, and his family in Mexico has been fighting across international borders to reunite with the children.

As of February 2026, the ICE agent who killed Villegas Gonzalez has not been publicly identified, no criminal charges have been filed, and no federal investigation has been publicly announced. The family plans to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called the killing "an avoidable tragedy." The Mexican government formally condemned it.

VICTIM PROFILE¶

Silverio Villegas Gonzalez

Field	Detail
Full Name	Silverio Villegas Gonzalez
Age at Death	38 years old
Nationality	Mexican
Hometown	Irimbo, Michoacan, Mexico
Time in U.S.	Nearly 20 years
Residence	Franklin Park, Illinois (suburb of Chicago)
Occupation	Line cook
Family	Father of two sons (ages 3 and 7); youngest of 10 children; girlfriend and her 13-year-old daughter
Criminal History	None. Chicago Tribune and NBC News found no criminal record. Four traffic violations including a 2013 speeding ticket. No criminal charges ever filed.
Immigration Status	Undocumented; no prior encounters with ICE indicated
Custody Status	Had obtained partial custody of his two sons; was actively seeking full custody in court
Date of Death	September 12, 2025
Location	Franklin Park, Illinois
Cause of Death	Gunshot wound (ruled HOMICIDE by Cook County Medical Examiner)

Who He Was¶

Sister Graciela Villegas:

"That's because he wanted to prove that he could be a good father to gain full custody of his children."

Since obtaining custody of his sons, Villegas Gonzalez dedicated his time to working and taking care of them. He was getting healthier, saving money, and building the case for full custody. He had just dropped his boys off at daycare and was on his way to work when ICE agents approached him.

Brother Jorge Villegas Gonzalez:

"My brother was a calm person, quiet. He was very loving with his children, he was everything to them."
"We want help so this can be clarified. If the officer was trained to kill unarmed people, that cannot be called justice."

Mother Esperanza Gonzalez (age 77):
Cried out in a phone call asking why her son was killed.

Vigil attendees:
Community members described him as having sole custody of his two sons. He was working on getting healthier and was saving money.

Loved ones (Chicago Sun-Times):
"Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, who was killed by ICE agents, 'touched the lives of so many.'"

THE INCIDENT -- September 12, 2025¶

Location¶

Franklin Park, Illinois -- a suburb approximately 15 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. Part of the Chicago metropolitan area targeted by Operation Midway Blitz.

DHS Version of Events¶

DHS claimed:
- Villegas Gonzalez was a "targeted undocumented immigrant" identified for removal due to his "criminal background of reckless driving"
- Agents "attempted a traffic stop" which he "refused to yield to"
- He "struck the federal agent with his vehicle, dragging the agent a significant distance"
- "Based on the totality of circumstances, the agent discharged his firearm, striking the subject"
- Villegas Gonzalez was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead

Evidence Contradicting DHS Claims¶

1. No Criminal Background:
- DHS justified targeting him based on "criminal background of reckless driving"
- The Chicago Tribune found no criminal history for Villegas Gonzalez
- NBC News conducted an independent review and confirmed he had never been criminally charged
- He had four traffic violations, including speeding (2013)
- Traffic violations are not criminal offenses in most jurisdictions

2. "Dragged a Significant Distance":
- DHS claimed the agent was dragged "a significant distance"
- The agent's own subsequent statement described his injuries as "nothing major"
- If the agent was dragged a "significant distance" by a vehicle, injuries would typically be severe -- not "nothing major"
- This discrepancy mirrors the Marimar Martinez case, where DHS claimed she "rammed" agents but the government later admitted she did not

3. Close-Range Shooting:
- Reports indicate Villegas Gonzalez was shot at "close range"
- The circumstances of the shooting -- distance, angle, number of shots -- have not been publicly detailed

What We Know¶

Villegas Gonzalez dropped his children at daycare that morning
He was driving to work
ICE agents approached his vehicle
Some form of vehicle pursuit or attempted stop occurred
He was shot by an unnamed ICE agent
He was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead

What We Do Not Know¶

The name of the ICE agent who shot him
Whether body camera footage exists and what it shows
The exact sequence of events between the initial approach and the shooting
How many shots were fired
Whether de-escalation was attempted
Whether the agent was actually dragged or whether this was a fabricated justification
Why he was classified as a target based on traffic violations

AUTOPSY FINDINGS¶

Cook County Medical Examiner's Office¶

Finding	Detail
Cause of Death	Gunshot wound(s)
Manner of Death	HOMICIDE
Toxicology	Cocaine detected in his system

Note on Toxicology: The presence of cocaine was noted in the autopsy but did not change the manner-of-death ruling. The manner of death -- homicide -- was determined based on the gunshot wound, not toxicology. The presence of cocaine does not justify use of lethal force.

Note on "Homicide" Ruling: In forensic pathology, "homicide" means death caused by another person. It is a medical determination of the manner of death, not a legal conclusion of criminal liability. However, it confirms that Villegas Gonzalez was killed by the actions of another person -- in this case, the unnamed ICE agent.

THE FAMILY'S FIGHT FOR THE CHILDREN¶

Custody Background¶

Villegas Gonzalez had been seeking custody of his two sons (ages 3 and 7) through the courts
He had obtained partial custody prior to his death
Community members at his vigil stated he had sole custody at the time of his death
The biological mother, Penny Kostoglakis, had moved to Idaho with the children approximately three years before
Villegas Gonzalez had brought the children back to Chicago to live with him

What Happened After the Killing¶

Children placed in Idaho foster care:
- A few weeks after the shooting, the state of Idaho took custody of both boys
- The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare declined to comment on the case
- The children were placed in foster care

Sister Graciela Villegas:

"The (U.S.) government killed their father and now they want to take them away from us. Those children adored their dad."

Penny Kostoglakis (biological mother):
- Has not been able to see her children since Idaho took custody
- Stated she intends to seek custody
- Said she thinks her children would be well taken care of by the Villegas family if they remain in the U.S.

International Custody Complications:
- The family in Mexico -- particularly sister Graciela -- is fighting to gain custody or at least visitation
- "(The custody of the children) will not be determined by the family or the consulates. No one else will intervene other than a judge who must assess whether the children are being placed in a safe environment."
- The family is navigating an international legal system while grieving
- The Mexican Consulate has been involved but has limited legal standing in U.S. state custody proceedings

Irony and Injustice¶

The U.S. government killed the father of two young children. Those children were then placed into the U.S. foster care system -- a system the same government administers. The family that wants the children is in Mexico. The government that killed their father is now the custodian of their fate.

THE FUNERAL -- September 26, 2025¶

Repatriation¶

The Mexican Consulate in Chicago paid for the flight to repatriate his body
The Michoacan state government and municipal authorities covered other transport and funeral costs

Ceremony in Irimbo, Michoacan¶

Hundreds gathered to mourn him in his small hometown
The wake was held inside the four-room wooden home where he grew up (tin roof)
About twenty people came the first night: brothers, nephews, neighbors
A somber procession followed his coffin to a funeral mass on Friday
He was honored in the town's main square
His elderly parents, dressed in white, were supported by others as they walked through town

Reporter Cesar Cabrera (Michoacan-based):
Documented the funeral for publication. Described a small town mourning a young man who left two decades earlier to build a life in America, only to come home in a coffin.

Day of the Dead Honor (November 1, 2025)¶

Community members in the Chicago area honored Villegas Gonzalez at a special Day of the Dead celebration in Franklin Park, the community where he was killed. Attendees described him as "someone who was wanted" -- a member of the community, not the criminal DHS portrayed.

POLITICAL AND ADVOCACY RESPONSE¶

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson¶

Called Villegas Gonzalez's death "an avoidable tragedy."

Mexican Government¶

Secretariat of Foreign Affairs: Formally condemned the killing
Mexican Consulate in Chicago: Paid for repatriation; provided consular assistance to family
Michoacan State Government: Covered local transport and funeral costs

Congressional Response¶

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rep. Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-IL), and other Democratic members of Congress: Sent a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem demanding transparency and accountability regarding the fatal shooting

Community Response¶

Vigils held in Franklin Park and Chicago
GoFundMe campaign organized by Lily Rivera, raising funds for the family
Day of the Dead memorial (November 1, 2025)
Marshall Project created a profile documenting his case

Legal Action¶

Family stated intent to take legal action against the U.S. government after the mourning period
As of February 2026, the specific status of the lawsuit is unclear

INVESTIGATION STATUS¶

Level	Status
ICE Internal Investigation	Claimed to be underway; no public findings
FBI	No investigation publicly announced
DHS Office of Inspector General	Status unknown
Cook County State's Attorney	Status unknown
Illinois Attorney General	Status unknown
Agent Identification	Agent not publicly named as of February 2026
Agent Status	Unknown -- not publicly stated whether on leave or active duty
Criminal Charges	None filed against the agent
Civil Lawsuit	Family stated intent; current status unclear

The Unnamed Agent¶

More than five months after the killing, the ICE agent who shot Villegas Gonzalez has not been publicly identified. This stands in contrast to police shootings, where officers are typically identified within days under most state and departmental policies. The agency's refusal to name the agent makes independent investigation and public accountability impossible.

Comparison to Other 2025-2026 Agent Identifications¶

Case	Agent Named?	Timeline
Villegas Gonzalez (Sep 2025)	No	5+ months, still unnamed
Martinez (Oct 2025)	Yes - Charles Exum	Named within weeks through court proceedings
Renee Good (Jan 2026)	Yes - Agent Ross	Named through court proceedings
Alex Pretti (Jan 2026)	Partial	Some identifying information released

The Villegas Gonzalez case remains the only major ICE/CBP shooting of 2025-2026 where the agent has not been identified through any mechanism. The absence of legal proceedings -- no criminal charges, no civil suit filed yet -- has meant no court-compelled disclosure.

PATTERN ANALYSIS¶

Operation Midway Blitz Shootings¶

Villegas Gonzalez's killing was the first in a series of shootings during and connected to Operation Midway Blitz:

Date	Victim	Location	Outcome
Sep 12, 2025	Silverio Villegas Gonzalez	Franklin Park, IL	Killed; ME ruled homicide; no charges
Oct 4, 2025	Marimar Martinez	Brighton Park, Chicago	Shot 5 times; survived; charges against her dismissed with prejudice; civil lawsuit filed
Jan 7, 2026	Renee Good	Minneapolis, MN	Killed by ICE Agent Ross
Jan 24, 2026	Alex Pretti	Location varies	Killed by CBP agents

"Vehicle as Weapon" Justification¶

DHS used the same justification in both the Villegas Gonzalez and Martinez shootings -- claiming the victim used their vehicle to attack agents. In both cases, the evidence contradicts the claim:

Case	DHS Claim	Evidence
Villegas Gonzalez	"Dragged agent significant distance"	Agent described injuries as "nothing major"
Martinez	"Rammed agents"	Body camera shows agent steered into her car; government later admitted she did not ram them

This is not coincidence -- it is a playbook. The "vehicle as weapon" narrative provides retroactive justification for lethal force and shifts blame to the victim. In every documented case, the claim has been contradicted by available evidence.

False Criminal Background Claims¶

DHS justified targeting Villegas Gonzalez based on "criminal background of reckless driving." Independent investigation found:
- No criminal history whatsoever
- Four traffic violations including speeding
- No criminal charges ever filed

This mirrors the broader DHS pattern documented by KUOW/NPR of making false claims about individuals targeted by immigration enforcement to justify aggressive operations.

The Children Left Behind¶

Villegas Gonzalez's case highlights a devastating secondary impact: when ICE kills a parent, the children enter a system that often separates them from extended family:

His two sons (ages 3 and 7) were placed in Idaho foster care
His family in Mexico cannot easily access the U.S. custody system
The children lost their father to ICE and are now separated from the family that wants them
The same government that killed their father now controls their future

CRITICAL QUESTIONS¶

Who is the agent? Why has the ICE agent who killed Villegas Gonzalez not been publicly identified after more than five months? What is the legal basis for this secrecy?
Body camera footage: Does footage exist from the agent or other agents at the scene? Will it be released?
"Significant distance" claim: DHS claimed the agent was dragged "a significant distance" -- but the agent described his injuries as "nothing major." Which is true? How far was the agent allegedly dragged?
Targeting decision: Who decided Villegas Gonzalez was a "target" based on traffic violations? What level of review was involved? Was "criminal background of reckless driving" a fabrication?
De-escalation: What de-escalation was attempted before the shooting? Is there a policy requiring de-escalation before using lethal force during traffic stops?
Number of shots: How many shots were fired? How many struck Villegas Gonzalez? At what distance?
Children's custody: What is the current status of the custody proceedings for his two sons? Are the children in contact with extended family?
Investigation timeline: Why has there been no public update on any investigation more than five months after the killing?
Sister Graciela's theory: Graciela believes her brother tried to run from agents because he was terrified of losing custody of his children. Is this consistent with the evidence? Does the father's active custody fight change the risk calculus of an ICE traffic stop?

ASSESSMENT¶

Confidence: HIGH

Confirmed (multiple independent sources):
- Silverio Villegas Gonzalez, 38, Mexican national from Irimbo, Michoacan; lived in Chicago area 20 years
- Father of two sons, ages 3 and 7; had obtained partial or sole custody
- Line cook; youngest of 10 children
- No criminal record (confirmed by Chicago Tribune and NBC News independent reviews)
- Only four traffic violations; no criminal charges ever filed
- Shot and killed September 12, 2025, by unnamed ICE agent in Franklin Park, IL
- Cook County Medical Examiner ruled death HOMICIDE (cocaine in system; not contributing factor)
- DHS claimed "criminal background of reckless driving" -- false
- DHS claimed agent "dragged significant distance" -- agent said injuries "nothing major"
- ICE agent has not been publicly identified
- No criminal charges filed against agent
- Body repatriated to Mexico; buried September 26, 2025, in Irimbo
- Children placed in Idaho foster care; family fighting for custody
- Chicago Mayor called it "an avoidable tragedy"
- Mexican government formally condemned the killing
- Congressional Democrats demanded transparency from DHS
- Family plans legal action against U.S. government
- GoFundMe campaign established
- Day of the Dead memorial held November 1, 2025

Critical Assessment:

An unnamed ICE agent shot and killed an unarmed father of two on his way to work, based on a claimed "criminal background" that did not exist. The medical examiner ruled it a homicide. No charges were filed. The agent was never publicly identified. The children were placed in foster care. The government labeled the dead man a criminal to justify killing him.

Five months later, nothing has happened. No name. No charges. No accountability. No answers for two young boys who lost their father.

SOURCES¶

Primary News Coverage¶

Funeral and Repatriation¶

Autopsy and Investigation¶

Children and Custody¶

Journal Gazette/Times-Courier (AP) - Relatives Seek Reunion with Children in Idaho Foster Care

Community Response¶

Pattern and Broader Context¶

Official Response¶

Research completed: February 5, 2026, 08:58 UTC
Last updated: February 12, 2026
Priority: HIGH - Agent unidentified; children in foster care; lawsuit pending

Published by Mortui Vivos Docent Intelligence Project
Methodology: Bellingcat-standard OSINT -- public sources only