A woman was killed Wednesday during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis after a shooting involving agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to federal officials and local authorities.
The incident occurred as ICE agents were conducting enforcement actions in the city. According to the Department of Homeland Security, agents encountered resistance from individuals attempting to block their movement. DHS said the woman drove her vehicle toward ICE officers, prompting an agent to fire in what the department described as self-defense.
This comes as federal authorities expand immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota. The Trump administration has sent additional federal agents, numbering about 2,000 according to DHS, to the state following investigations into large-scale fraud in the Twin Cities area.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated the woman attempted to use her vehicle against federal agents during the operation. “Officers were out on enforcement action, got stuck in the snow, and were attempting to move their vehicle,” Noem said. “A woman attacked them and those surrounding them and attempted to run them over and ram them with her vehicle.” Noem characterized the incident as domestic terrorism.
The agency said the woman was struck by gunfire and subsequently crashed her vehicle. ICE officers involved in the incident were injured and transported for medical evaluation. DHS said their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
Video posted by ABC 5 Eyewitness News Minneapolis shows the moments leading up to the shooting, with the vehicle stopped near several federal officers before accelerating and crashing after gunfire is heard. The footage shows at least one officer in close proximity to the vehicle immediately before it drives away.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooting was under active investigation. Speaking at a press conference, O’Hara said the woman was not the target of immigration enforcement and was blocking a street when the incident occurred. He said investigators are still working to determine the exact circumstances of the shooting. “It’s obviously very concerning whenever there’s a shooting into a vehicle,” O’Hara said, adding that such uses of force can be justified under certain circumstances but must be reviewed
According to Reuters, protesters later gathered near the scene, and federal agents deployed chemical munitions to disperse the crowd.
DHS officials said assaults against immigration officers have increased significantly in recent months, citing a sharp rise in reported incidents. Federal and local authorities said the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
