Family seeks federal damages

Villegas González’s family filed a formal complaint against the feds on Thursday, taking the first step toward suing the federal government over his death.

Attorney expects large compensation

Jonathan Manes, an attorney with the MacArthur Justice Center who represents the family, said they expect to seek "a very large sum of money" but would not provide a total amount.

“a very large sum of money”

Claim includes car damage

The claim lists approximately $10,000 for damage to Villegas González’s car and its contents, although that’s separate from compensation for his suffering and the family’s emotional and financial losses.

“$10,000”

Alleged dangerous confrontation

The complaint alleges that two ICE agents created a dangerous confrontation and shot Villegas González when they could have stepped away from his car.

“created a dangerous confrontation”

DHS training and supervision failure

It also accuses ICE and Department of Homeland Security officials of failing to properly train and supervise its officers.

“failing to properly train and supervise its officers”

Villegas González’s background

Villegas González, 38, had immigrated from Mexico and lived in the United States for about 18 years before his death. He worked as a line cook and was raising two sons.

“38”

Shooting incident details

He had dropped his children off at school and daycare and was headed to work on Sept. 12, 2.025, when the two ICE agents tried to stop his car in Franklin Park and one of them shot Villegas González.

“Sept. 12, 2025”

DHS claims fleeing traffic stop

After the shooting, DHS said Villegas González had fled a traffic stop and dragged one officer "a significant distance." The department said the agent was seriously injured and had opened fire because he feared for his life.

“a significant distance”

Body camera footage contradicts DHS

But police body-camera footage obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times showed the officer describing his injuries as 'nothing major.' His partner reported a knee injury and cuts to his hands.

“nothing major”

Family challenges government account

The complaint filed by Villegas González’s family relies on surveillance video, police footage and ambulance and autopsy reports to challenge the government’s account.

“surveillance video”

Government defended shooting immediately

Manes said the government defended the shooting before it could have investigated what happened. "The very day Silverio was killed, before there could have been any kind of investigation, they were already calling it justified," he said.

“The very day Silverio was killed, before there could have been any kind of investigation, they were already calling it justified”

Family seeks compensation for suffering

José Villegas González is seeking compensation on behalf of his brother’s estate for pain and suffering before he died and the family’s "mental suffering," including his children’s loss of their father’s "emotional" and "financial" support.

“mental suffering”

Children placed in foster care

After his death, the children were placed in foster care in Idaho, far from their Chicago-area relatives.

“foster care in Idaho”

No incident report received

DHS told the Sun-Times in July that federal prosecutors declined to charge the agent who shot and killed Villegas González. Federal officials still have not publicly explained why.

“federal prosecutors declined to charge”