An undercover Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed Fernando Geovanni Llanez, 22, during an apparent marijuana buy-bust at an Eastlake-area strip mall in Chula Vista on 14 June 2016.[1][2][3] The agent, Ronaldo Gonzalez, belonged to the Homeland Security Investigations Operation Alliance drug task force, which had arranged to meet what the agency described as a half-dozen suspected marijuana traffickers.[1] Five companions fled but were chased down and arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana for sale, conspiracy and robbery.[1]
Gonzalez said he saw Llanez aiming a black-and-yellow weapon at him and fired four times within seconds.[2] The weapon turned out to be a Taser.[2] An autopsy excerpt cited in the family’s later complaint says the fourth and fatal bullet entered Llanez’s back after he had collapsed face down and lodged in his tongue.[2] The family says Gonzalez never identified himself as law enforcement, that Llanez had been paid $500 to drop off and collect a van without knowing a drug deal was involved, and that the van carried 2,000 pounds of government-controlled marijuana brought across the border for the sting.[2][3]
The agency said Llanez attacked the agent in what could have been a robbery attempt.[1] Chula Vista police at the time declined to confirm it was an undercover operation and said nothing about any weapon.[1] A later joint press investigation counted Llanez among 23 people killed by ICE officers between 2015 and 2021.[2]
