DHS Agent Accused of Lying About Shooting Unarmed Black Man

In a troubling report highlighting potential police misconduct, a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent is accused of omitting crucial details about firing shots at an unarmed Black man during a routine traffic stop in Washington D.C. This incident comes amid broader concerns about federal law enforcement actions in cities across the country.

The Traffic Stop Incident

On October 17, 2025, Phillip M. Brown, a 33-year-old resident of Hyattsville, Maryland, was pulled over by an HSI agent and local police officers for reasons that remain unclear. According to the officers’ account, Brown allegedly revved his SUV as if intending to run over the HSI agent. In response, the agent reportedly fired “defensive shots” at the vehicle’s windshield.

Fortunately, Brown was not physically injured during the incident. However, he was subsequently arrested and held for three days on charges of fleeing officers. The case was later dismissed by a judge due to a lack of evidence, raising further questions about the initial stop and the agent’s actions.

Allegations of a Cover-Up

The situation becomes even more suspicious when considering the police report filed about the arrest. Brown’s lawyers state that the report made absolutely no mention of the shooting. This omission is particularly concerning given that photos and video evidence from the scene clearly show Brown’s vehicle with bullet holes.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) attempted to justify the agent’s actions, stating, “This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of vehicles being used as weapons against DHS law enforcement.” The spokesperson cited a “1000% increase in assaults against them.” However, this explanation fails to address why the shooting was not included in the official police report.

Questions of Justification and Accountability

Bernadette Armand, one of Brown’s lawyers, described the DHS’s justification as “outrageous.” She questioned the logic: “What are they going to say? ‘We shot at an unarmed Black man in his car in a routine traffic stop for nothing?’ They’re not going to say that. They’re going to say whatever they have to say to justify their actions.” The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department has confirmed they are investigating the shooting but have declined to comment further.