Federal Agents Involved in Minneapolis Shooting During Crackdown/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal agent shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist when she allegedly tried to run over law enforcement officers during an immigration crackdown in the city, authorities said Wednesday.
Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown Quick Looks
- Shooting reported involving federal agents near East 34th and Portland
- Federal, local police, and CBP commander Gregory Bovino on scene
- Mayor Frey calls ICE presence “chaos,” demands agents leave
- Bystanders taunt agents, chant “Shame!” behind police tape
- DHS deployed 2,000 agents for Minneapolis–St. Paul immigration raid
- Operation targets fraud, linked in part to Somali community
- Cars crashed at scene, yellow police tape blocks streets
- No official injury or suspect details released yet
- Immigration Defense Network trains volunteers to monitor agents
- City officials express solidarity with immigrant, refugee communities
ICE Agent Shoots, Kills a Woman during Minneapolis Immigration Crackdown
Deep Look
A federal agent shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist when she allegedly tried to run over law enforcement officers during an immigration crackdown in the city, authorities said Wednesday.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot the woman in her vehicle in a residential neighborhood in Minneapolis, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement.
Video posted online showed the vehicle crashed in a residential neighborhood. The shooting drew throngs of angry protesters to the scene
A major immigration enforcement operation turned tense and violent in Minneapolis on Wednesday after authorities confirmed a shooting involving federal agents. The incident occurred near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, as federal law enforcement conducted a sweeping immigration crackdown across the Twin Cities.
Live footage from the scene showed federal and local officers, crashed vehicles, and streets cordoned off with yellow police tape. Cmdr. Gregory Bovino of U.S. Customs and Border Protection was seen among those present during the operation. Details about who fired the shots or whether there were injuries have not yet been released by officials.
The city government issued a brief warning via X (formerly Twitter): “We are aware of a shooting involving federal law enforcement near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue. Please avoid this area.”
The shooting comes amid a controversial and expansive immigration raid ordered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which earlier this week confirmed it was sending 2,000 agents and officers to the Minneapolis–St. Paul region. The operation is reportedly tied to allegations of fraud, particularly involving members of Minnesota’s large Somali-American community.
Tensions have been rising since the operation began. Crowds of local residents gathered at the scene of the shooting, expressing their anger through chants, whistles, and confrontational shouts directed at agents. Many compared the scene to aggressive immigration raids previously seen in Los Angeles and Chicago.
“Shame! Shame! Shame!” people shouted from behind police barriers, as federal agents stood silently nearby.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the federal presence in strong terms following the shooting. “Immigration agents are causing chaos in our city,” Frey said. “We are demanding ICE leave the city and state immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.”
Community organizations have mobilized in response to the raid. On Tuesday night, the Immigration Defense Network hosted a rapid response training session for around 100 local residents ready to monitor and document enforcement actions. The group is part of a growing grassroots movement seeking to provide legal support and public oversight during immigration crackdowns.
“I feel like I’m an ordinary person, and I have the ability to do something, so I need to do it,” Mary Moran, one of the volunteers, told local station KMSP-TV.
As of Wednesday afternoon, federal officials had not released further details about the shooting or provided public comment on Mayor Frey’s statement. It remains unclear whether the gunfire was connected to an attempted arrest or another aspect of the enforcement action.
The federal operation, described by DHS as the largest of its kind, has been met with criticism by immigrant rights groups and state leaders who argue it is disruptive, overly militarized, and targets vulnerable communities under the guise of fraud investigations.
The presence of heavily armed federal agents and CBP tactical units has further inflamed public sentiment. Many residents fear increased profiling, wrongful detentions, and a general atmosphere of intimidation in neighborhoods home to large immigrant populations.
Federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has intensified, with Minneapolis emerging as a key target for expanded operations. The ongoing raid and the reported shooting are expected to increase calls for state and local leaders to push back more aggressively against federal intervention.
The broader operation comes just days after DHS revoked licenses from several major humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza, as part of a separate foreign policy effort. Together, the two moves underscore the administration’s evolving approach to enforcement, both at home and abroad.
Meanwhile, community leaders in Minnesota say they are preparing for further escalation, with legal aid groups, civil rights attorneys, and immigrant advocates bracing for additional confrontations in the days ahead.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.