Minneapolis Man Shot & Killed By ICE Immigration Officer, Sparks Protests/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A 51-year-old man shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis has died, intensifying public outrage. The incident occurred amid nationwide protests over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration raids. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has demanded the withdrawal of federal officers from the state.
Minneapolis Immigration Raid Quick Looks
- A 51-year-old man shot by ICE officers has died
- DHS claims the man was armed with a handgun and two magazines
- Incident occurred amid largest federal immigration operation in U.S. history
- Protests have rocked Minneapolis daily since Jan. 7 ICE-related shooting
- Gov. Tim Walz condemns federal actions, contacts White House
- Demands removal of “violent, untrained” federal officers from Minnesota
- DHS shares photo of alleged weapon found on deceased
- Crowd confronts officers after shooting; tensions escalate
- Protesters label agents “cowards”; officers respond mockingly
- City streets filled with anti-crackdown demonstrations in frigid temperatures
Deep Look
Minneapolis Man Killed in Federal Immigration Raid as Protests Escalate
MINNEAPOLIS — A 51-year-old man who was shot Saturday during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis has died, according to hospital records reviewed by the Associated Press. The man, whose identity has not yet been released, was critically injured during an altercation with U.S. immigration officers, part of an aggressive nationwide crackdown ordered by the Trump administration.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement that the man was carrying a handgun and two magazines at the time of the incident. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin described the scene as “evolving,” without providing further details about the encounter that led to the fatal shooting.
The incident marks another flashpoint in a city already gripped by civil unrest. Since January 7, when 37-year-old Renee Good was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a separate traffic stop, Minneapolis has been the epicenter of daily protests demanding accountability and an end to federal immigration raids.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the federal operation. In a social media post following the latest shooting, Walz confirmed that he had spoken with the White House and urged President Donald Trump to immediately withdraw federal personnel from the state.
“Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now,” Walz wrote on X (formerly Twitter), referencing what DHS has described as its largest immigration enforcement action in U.S. history.
DHS later released a photograph of the firearm allegedly found on the deceased man, though details about the context in which the weapon was discovered remain scarce.
Protesters Clash With Federal Officers
Following the shooting, a large and visibly enraged crowd gathered at the scene. Videos shared on social media show protesters screaming profanities at federal agents, branding them as “cowards” and demanding they leave the city. In one video, a federal officer mockingly responded to the crowd by saying, “Boo hoo,” before walking away. Elsewhere, an agent was seen forcefully pushing a shouting protester into a government vehicle.
These confrontations reflect the raw anger felt across Minneapolis, where residents are decrying what they view as an excessive, militarized response to immigration enforcement. Just a day earlier, thousands of demonstrators braved sub-zero temperatures to rally in opposition to the crackdown, filling city streets with chants calling for justice and the removal of federal officers.
Civil rights groups, community leaders, and immigrant advocates have condemned the operation, pointing to the rising number of violent encounters and lack of transparency from federal agencies.
Trump Administration’s Operation Under Fire
The Trump administration has ramped up its immigration enforcement in what officials have described as a “necessary national security initiative.” However, critics say the effort has become a humanitarian crisis, with untrained officers engaging in high-risk, confrontational tactics.
In Minneapolis, the impact has been especially severe. The presence of federal tactical teams has sparked fear and anxiety, particularly among immigrant communities. Reports of home raids, vehicle stops, and now two fatal shootings have raised questions about oversight and accountability.
While DHS insists the operations are legal and necessary, state officials argue the federal government is violating local jurisdictions and undermining community trust.
“This is not about law enforcement,” said one local organizer. “This is about political theater and intimidation — and it’s costing people their lives.”
Political and Legal Ramifications
The shooting and its aftermath are likely to intensify legal scrutiny of federal actions in Minnesota. Several civil liberties organizations, including the ACLU and local immigrant rights coalitions, are already preparing lawsuits, alleging constitutional violations and wrongful use of force.
In parallel, the Biden-aligned governors of other states have voiced concern about the escalation, questioning whether the Trump administration’s sweeping use of federal agents is politically motivated ahead of the 2026 elections.
Governor Walz has demanded an independent federal investigation into both the Jan. 7 and Jan. 20 shootings, as well as a moratorium on all immigration raids in Minnesota until findings are made public.
As tensions continue to rise, city leaders are urging calm while also preparing for the possibility of further unrest.
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