ICE Officer Shoots Man in Leg After Minneapolis Shovel Attack
A shooting incident unfolded in north Minneapolis on Wednesday evening during an operation carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. This event occurred amidst Operation Metro Surge, which has been focusing on targeted arrests in the area.
Details of the Shooting Incident
According to U.S. officials, the shooting happened around 7 p.m. near the intersection of North Sixth Street and North 24th Avenue. An ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agent was attacked by a Venezuelan migrant wielding a shovel during the arrest. This individual was the primary target of the operation.
- The assailant struck the ICE officer with the shovel, attempting to hit the officer’s head.
- In response, the officer fired shots, which hit the assailant in the leg.
- After being shot, the suspect fled into a nearby residence.
Initial Response and Subsequent Developments
Following the shooting, a large crowd gathered at the scene. Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement as tensions escalated late into the night. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara announced a news conference to address the situation and called for public calm.
Law enforcement later discovered that the house where the suspect had fled contained three additional persons of interest. All four individuals eventually barricaded themselves inside the residence. Additional ICE agents were called to manage the situation, leading to a breach of the home by a specialized tactical unit.
Victims and Medical Response
Both the ICE officer who sustained injuries and the man shot in the leg were transported to the hospital. However, the conditions and nature of their injuries have not yet been confirmed. The incident has raised significant concerns, particularly given its timing just one week after another shooting involving ICE, where an officer fatally shot a different individual.
Official Statements and Political Reactions
In the aftermath, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement detailing the circumstances of the attack on the ICE officer, specifying that additional individuals joined the primary assailant in the attack with various objects. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche criticized local officials for contributing to rising tension and violence against law enforcement.
Prior to the shooting, Governor Tim Walz made a rare address, calling for action against perceived federal overreach and urging citizens to document encounters with federal law enforcement agents for future legal accountability.
This incident and its implications are developing and may continue to evolve as more information becomes available.
