STAFFORD – Federal immigration authorities say a man sought for deportation remains at large after an encounter with agents in Stafford Township on Monday ended with an officer injured and a weapon discharged.
According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), officers were attempting to arrest Freidrich Castillo-Ormeno, a Peruvian national who had received a final order of removal from an immigration judge on Jan. 30, 2026.
ICE said law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted vehicle stop in the Manahawkin section of Stafford Township when the incident occurred. “The driver then weaponized his vehicle and struck an officer resulting in the officer discharging his weapon,” the agency stated.
Federal officials said Castillo-Ormeno fled the scene and remains at large. The injured officer was transported to a hospital for treatment.
Preliminary details were released by the Stafford Township Police Department, which received a report of the incident at approximately 9:30 a.m. near Route 72 and Mermaid Drive.
According to Stafford police, ICE agents were attempting to apprehend a suspect when the suspect fled in a vehicle, striking an ICE agent. The agent then discharged a firearm at the vehicle, reportedly striking it before the vehicle fled the scene.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billheimer responded to the scene along with members of the Stafford Township Police Department and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office. Billheimer said the investigation was being turned over to the FBI.
The statement did not indicate whether Castillo-Ormeno was struck by gunfire or what charges may result from the incident.
Stafford Police emphasized that the department was not involved in the immigration enforcement operation. “Stafford Township Police adheres to the Attorney General’s Immigrant Trust Directive and was not assisting or a part of the ICE operation,” the department said in a statement. “The ongoing investigation is not being conducted by Stafford Township Police. Our role at this point is to manage traffic and secure the crime scene.”
Police also stated there was no reason to believe the incident posed a threat to public safety.
Monday’s incident prompted a significant law enforcement response and road closures in the area. Authorities urged motorists to avoid the Route 72 corridor near Mermaid Drive and use alternate routes through the Ocean Acres section of Stafford Township while the investigation continued but the road reopened this afternoon.
ICE also pointed to what it characterized as a broader trend of assaults involving vehicles. “There is a pattern of vehicle attacks against our officers,” the agency stated, claiming law enforcement personnel have experienced a 3,300 percent increase in vehicle attacks.
Authorities have not released additional information about the search for Castillo-Ormeno. The FBI is leading the investigation into the shooting and the events surrounding the attempted apprehension.
This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.
