This incident occurred after Homeland Security sent more than 2,000 ICE agents to the Twin Cities in the “largest DHS operation ever.”
MINNEAPOLIS — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Wednesday morning that an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.
The DHS alleged that a woman attempted to ram her car into ICE agents, and an agent shot and hit her. However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said that narrative is false.
“This ‘it was done in self-defense’ is garbage,” Frey said at an afternoon press conference. “They are already trying to spin this is action of self-defense. Having seen the video myself, that is bull****.”
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the victim was a 37-year-old woman.
“There is nothing to indicate that she was the target of law enforcement activity,” O’Hara said.
After reaching out to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, a spokesperson confirmed it does have the jurisdiction to charge the agent if warranted. Use-of-force experts told KARE it will depend on whether prosecutors determine the officer’s actions were “unreasonable.”
Numerous video posts circulating on social media are also challenging the DHS narrative, with several graphic videos showing the interaction between the vehicle and agents and the moment shots are fired before the vehicle crashes.
CAUTION: The videos below contains graphic language and visuals. Viewer discretion advised.
A witness told KARE 11 that the victim was trying to flee from ICE agents when she was shot dead.
Hundreds of ICE agents, Minneapolis police officers and neighbors have flocked to the corner of 34th and Portland Avenue near Powderhorn Park as the morning progressed.
A burgundy SUV was visible at the scene with a bullet hole through the driver’s side windshield. The SUV then smashed into a light pole, with what appeared to be two damaged cars parked nearby.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin issued the following statement:
“ICE officers in Minneapolis were conducting targeted operations when rioters began blocking ICE officers and one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them.”
“An ICE officer fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow officers and the lives of the public, fired defensive shots, used his training and saved his own life and that of his fellow officers. The alleged perpetrator was hit and is deceased. Thankfully, the ICE officers who were hurt are expected to make full recoveries.”
In a post on X earlier in the morning, Walz asked Minnesotans to remain calm and said his team is working to gather information on the shooting.
The governor announced he’ll hold a press briefing regarding the incident at 2:15 p.m.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan also released a statement, calling the shooting an “unspeakable act of violence.”
“ICE has committed an unspeakable act of violence today, shooting and killing a woman in South Minneapolis,” she said.
“These masked agents are out of control and creating real chaos in our state. ICE must leave Minnesota immediately – before more people are hurt. In the face of their violence, let us remain peaceful, calm, and united. Minnesotans will not allow Trump and his thugs to turn our communities into war zones.”
Protestors continued to gather in the neighborhood, some throwing snowballs in the direction of ICE agents. In response, law enforcement deployed tear gas and pepper spray.
KARE 11’s Jana Shortal said they heard Minneapolis officers saying, “This is a crime scene,” while taping off the area around the damaged cars. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara has said his force does not enforce immigration laws.
Minneapolis police officers added metal barriers between federal agents and protestors, while stating to the crowd that they are at the scene to keep the peace.
Minnesota Senator Omar Fateh said in a post on X that he received reports that “a doctor was denied the ability to provide lifesaving CPR by federal law enforcement.”
Fateh, alongside Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and several city council members, was present at 33rd Street and Portland Avenue and was joined by multiple faith leaders.
This incident occurred after Homeland Security deployed more than 2,000 ICE agents to the Twin Cities in the “largest DHS operation ever.”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that more than 1,000 people have been arrested in the Twin Cities area as part of the operation.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey shared an official statement on X, confirming that he knew of a shooting involving an ICE agent.
“The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city,” Frey posted Wednesday morning. “We’re demanding ICE to leave the city immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.”