In Minneapolis, a confrontation between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and a group of individuals led to an officer-involved shooting that resulted in one fatality. The incident occurred on Wednesday at approximately 11:45 a.m. near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials.
ICE officers were carrying out a targeted enforcement operation when they were threatened by a woman driving a vehicle. DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin stated, "Fearing for their lives and the safety of the public, ICE officers returned fire." The suspected attacker was hit by the gunfire and later pronounced dead. Injured officers are expected to make a full recovery.
Witness accounts and video footage from the scene provided by Freedom News TV showed a burgundy SUV with a bullet hole in the driver's side windshield, and a damaged streetlight. The videos also depicted ICE agents ordering the driver to exit the vehicle before shots were fired as the woman accelerated towards an officer. Reports suggest the driver was attempting to flee when struck.
Authorities have not confirmed if the woman was the subject of an active ICE warrant. However, The New York Times reported, citing information from Senator Tina Smith's (D) office, that she was married to a prominent activist. A press conference following the incident featured remarks from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey that have since sparked controversy and calls for his resignation.
The Minneapolis shooting comes amid a broader federal immigration enforcement push in Minnesota, which has seen approximately 2,000 personnel deployed across the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area since late December. This crackdown targets immigration violations, human smuggling, and alleged fraud related to public benefits programs.
Governor Tim Walz (D) has called for calm while the investigation continues, stating, "My public safety team is monitoring the situation closely. We will share updates as they become available." The shooting has highlighted the growing tension between federal law enforcement and activist groups, with federal officials emphasizing the lawful response of agents to direct threats.
Assaults on ICE officers have increased, as have death threats, a trend authorities attribute in part to political rhetoric around immigration enforcement. The Minneapolis incident not only underscores these tensions but also serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges associated with urban enforcement operations. Authorities are calling for public vigilance and compliance to ensure safety for officers and the community at large.
