Police Flood Minneapolis After Federal Law Enforcement Shooting
On a Wednesday morning in Minneapolis, law enforcement descended on a shooting incident involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. This event, which occurred in the vicinity of East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, sparked significant public outcry and concern regarding federal enforcement actions in the city.
Timeline of Events
The situation unfolded around 11 a.m. as a group of ICE agents attempted to exit the area, surrounded by a crowd of protesters. Some individuals in the crowd threw snowballs, prompting agents to deploy what appeared to be chemical irritants, likely pepper balls, to disperse the crowd.
Local Officials Respond
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly condemned the presence of ICE agents in the city via a tweet. He stated, “The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city. We’re demanding ICE to leave immediately.”
Governor Tim Walz also took to Twitter to express his concern, mentioning that the Department of Public Safety was investigating the incident. He urged calm among the public during the ongoing situation.
Community Impact
The incident has raised alarms among local residents and activists. The City of Minneapolis advised the public to avoid the area as law enforcement continued their response. Additionally, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were assisting at the scene but made it clear they were not involved in the shooting.
Federal Law Enforcement Investigation
- Location of Incident: East 34th Street and Portland Avenue
- Time of Incident: 11 a.m.
- Mayor’s Statement: Demanded ICE to leave Minneapolis
- Governor’s Involvement: Department of Public Safety is investigating
Council Member Jason Chavez noted that Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino was on-site following the shooting. As of now, additional details from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the incident remain forthcoming. The shooting incident aligns with ICE’s announcement of their “largest ever” immigration enforcement operation, further intensifying community tensions.
This situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding federal immigration enforcement in urban areas and its implications for community safety and cohesion.
