Federal and local authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in south Minneapolis after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman during an enforcement operation Wednesday morning, an incident that has sparked immediate public backlash and sharply conflicting accounts of what occurred.
Per KARE 11, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that an ICE agent fired the fatal shot, alleging the woman attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon against federal agents. According to DHS, the agent discharged his firearm after the woman tried to ram ICE officers with her car.
That version of events was forcefully rejected by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who said he personally reviewed video footage of the encounter.
“This ‘it was done in self-defense’ is garbage,” Frey said during an afternoon press conference. “They are already trying to spin this is action of self-defense. Having seen the video myself, that is bull****.”
Federal and local authorities are investigating a fatal shooting in south Minneapolis after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman during an enforcement operation Wednesday morning, an incident that has sparked immediate public backlash and sharply conflicting accounts of what occurred.
Per KARE 11, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that an ICE agent fired the fatal shot, alleging the woman attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon against federal agents. According to DHS, the agent discharged his firearm after the woman tried to ram ICE officers with her car.
That version of events was forcefully rejected by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who said he personally reviewed video footage of the encounter.
“This ‘it was done in self-defense’ is garbage,” Frey said during 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 identified the victim as a 37-year-old woman and emphasized that local police were not targeting her.
“There is nothing to indicate that she was the target of law enforcement activity,” O’Hara said.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed it has jurisdiction to bring charges against the ICE agent if prosecutors determine they are warranted.
Video footage circulating widely on social media has further challenged DHS’s account. Several graphic clips appear to show agents firing shots before the vehicle crashes, prompting renewed scrutiny of the federal narrative. A witness told KARE 11 that the woman was attempting to flee ICE agents when she was shot.
By late morning, hundreds of ICE agents, Minneapolis police officers, and neighborhood residents converged on the intersection of 34th Street and Portland Avenue near Powderhorn Park. A burgundy SUV with a bullet hole through the driver’s side windshield was visible at the scene. The vehicle later struck a light pole, with two nearby parked cars also appearing damaged.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement defending the actions of the ICE agent involved.
“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,” McLaughlin said.
“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.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urged calm in a post on X earlier in the day, saying his administration was gathering information. He later announced a press briefing scheduled for 2:15 p.m.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan condemned the shooting in a separate statement.
“ICE has committed an unspeakable act of violence today, shooting and killing a woman in South Minneapolis,” Flanagan 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.”
As tensions escalated, protesters continued to gather in the neighborhood, with some throwing snowballs toward ICE agents. Law enforcement responded by deploying tear gas and pepper spray.
KARE 11 reporter Jana Shortal reported hearing Minneapolis officers declaring, “This is a crime scene,” as police taped off the area around the damaged vehicles.
Chief O’Hara reiterated that Minneapolis police do not enforce immigration laws. Officers placed metal barriers between federal agents and protesters, telling the crowd they were present to keep the peace.
Minnesota Sen. Omar Fateh said on X that he received reports claiming “a doctor was denied the ability to provide lifesaving CPR by federal law enforcement.” Fateh was later seen at the scene near 33rd Street and Portland Avenue alongside Mayor Frey, several city council members, and faith leaders.
The shooting follows the deployment of more than 2,000 ICE agents to the Twin Cities as part of what DHS has described as its “largest DHS operation ever.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said more than 1,000 people have been arrested in the region since the operation began.
In a separate post on X, Frey confirmed his awareness of the shooting and renewed calls for ICE to leave the city.
“The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city,” Frey wrote. “We’re demanding ICE to leave the city immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.”
THE THIRD FORCE
