The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told Newsweek in a statement on Saturday that a U.S. Border Patrol agent fired “defensive shots” during a federal law enforcement operation in Minneapolis, resulting in the death of a 37-year-old man.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the agency, said the shooting occurred during a “targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal alien wanted for violent assault.” The victim has not yet been identified by law enforcement.
The Context
A video uploaded to social media shows a group of federal agents struggling with a person in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. In the video, multiple agents are seen trying to pull a person down to the ground before shots are heard being fired.
The person that the agents were seen trying to subdue lies motionless while a person videoing the scene is heard saying, “They killed that guy! Did they f***ing kill that guy?”
Saturday’s incident occurs just weeks after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent on January 7, which sharply escalated tensions on the ground as ICE and other law enforcement agents carry out President Donald Trump’s deportation operations in the state.
Minneapolis has become the largest battleground in the Trump administration’s mass deportation plans, with federal law enforcement conducting highly visible operations targeting undocumented immigrants in the city. Community leaders and residents have also expressed concern over the presence of federal officers in Minneapolis, and protests have erupted in response to prior incidents.
What To Know
In its statement, DHS said at approximately 9:05 AM CT, a suspect approached U.S. Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. The officers attempted to disarm the suspect, but he “violently resisted,” prompting an agent to fire “defensive shots.” Medics on scene provided immediate aid, but the individual was pronounced dead at the scene, the agency said.
“This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement,” McLaughlin said, adding that the suspect had two additional magazines and no identification.
The City of Minneapolis urged the public to remain calm and avoid the area near 26th Street W and Nicollet Ave while authorities work to confirm additional details.
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting, a White House official told Newsweek.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, condemned the shooting, calling it “sickening” and saying he spoke with the White House about the federal operation. Walz demanded the end of the nationwide enforcement effort and the withdrawal of thousands of what he described as “violent, untrained officers” from Minnesota.
What People Are Saying
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek in a statement on Saturday: “About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement on the scene, crowd control measures were deployed for the safety of the public and law enforcement. This situation is evolving, and more information is forthcoming.”
Deepinder Mayell, executive director of ACLU of Minnesota, said in a statement on Saturday: “Yesterday tens of thousands of Minnesotans from all walks of life marched through the streets in subzero temperatures to demand ICE stop terrorizing our communities, and today we wake up to the heartbreaking news that federal officials killed another person. This tragedy is further proof that these federal agents are out of control and critically endangering our communities. ICE and CBP must end their operations in our city before anyone else is harmed, and an independent investigation must be conducted.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on X: “I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning. Minnesota has had it. This is sickening. The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”
What Happens
The investigation into the fatal shooting continues, with DHS set to hold a press briefing later today.
Read the full article here
