Man throws Molotov at Los Angeles hotel where 27 federal agents stayed
A recent incident in Los Angeles has shed light on the dangers faced by federal law enforcement officers in the line of duty. Eric Anthony Rodriguez, a career criminal with a history of violent offenses, has been charged with throwing a Molotov cocktail at a hotel where 27 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers were staying.
The incident occurred on June 21 at a hotel near Los Angeles International Airport, where 15 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and 12 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents were staying. Rodriguez allegedly hurled the Molotov cocktail towards the hotel, but fortunately, the device landed in some bushes and was extinguished by a hotel employee. No one was injured in the attack.
Authorities were able to quickly identify Rodriguez as the suspect by obtaining surveillance footage from nearby businesses. He was arrested a few hours later after being found asleep near a gas station one block away from the hotel. Rodriguez has been charged with the federal equivalent of possessing a bomb or explosive device.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, condemned the attack, attributing it to the dangerous rhetoric of sanctuary city politicians who have been critical of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. She emphasized that anyone who threatens the lives of federal officers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
This incident is not an isolated one, as it marks the third case of a federal ‘bomb/ or explosive’ charge related to Molotov cocktail attacks during the recent Los Angeles riots. Rodriguez has a lengthy criminal history, with previous convictions for assault, robbery, theft, and vandalism. He also had an outstanding felony warrant for violating parole.
Despite his criminal past, Rodriguez was most recently convicted of first-degree robbery in March 2024 and sentenced to two years in prison. This case serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers on a daily basis and the importance of holding perpetrators of violence against federal agents accountable for their actions.
The charges against Rodriguez highlight the need for increased security measures to protect law enforcement officers and ensure that those who pose a threat to their safety are brought to justice. The incident also underscores the importance of maintaining law and order in our communities to prevent further acts of violence and ensure the safety of all individuals.
