Fugitive wanted by ICE sets apartment on fire, stabs himself during raid: Feds

NORCROSS, Ga. - Three adults and one little girl were trapped in a burning Norcross apartment building Thursday morning after a man wanted by immigration agents set it on fire, agents said. 

It started just before 7 a.m. at the Elliot Norcross apartment complex near South Norcross Tucker and Graves roads.

A spokesperson for ICE’s Atlanta office said they came to the door of Armando Carrillo-Diaz to arrest him on charges of assault, resisting arrest of a federal agent, and illegal re-entry.

Agents said when they got in, Carrillo-Diaz started a fire, pulled a knife, and then stabbed himself.

Meanwhile, as the fire quickly spread, a little girl was among four people trapped. 

"I heard the police outside as I was going to work," said neighbor Jose Luis Cabajal Arambu, translated from Spanish. "I saw white smoke. I thought it was tear gas because they were arresting someone."

A fire breaks out at a Norcross apartment building after ICE attempts to take a wanted fugitive into custody on July 6, 2023. (FOX 5)

However, Arambu said as that smoke turned black, he quickly realized his neighbors were in serious trouble, including a little girl. 

He said the halls were already inundated with smoke. So, when he got to her, he carefully lowered the girl down off a balcony. 

Both Arambu and the little girl had minor scrapes and cuts. 

After he spoke with FOX 5, the girl gave him a hug to show her gratitude. 

Medics rushed another man to Northside Gwinnett Hospital, where doctors listed him in critical condition.

Gwinnett County fire officials said about 30 people from a total of six apartments were displaced.

Arambu said his family is among them, and now they need food, clothes, and basic supplies. 

But the important thing is everyone made it out. 

"The priority is life," Arambu said.

ICE agents said they helped Carrillo-Diaz on the scene with his injuries before medics took him to the hospital where he is recovering in their custody. 

The ICE spokesperson said he came to Norcross from Mexico without legal permission after he was previously deported in 2011.