The Trump administration is taking over the investigation into the shooting of a driver targeting an ICE agent. While the Department of Justice initially wanted to jointly pursue the investigation with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), it is now solely in the hands of the FBI.
The BCA explained that it no longer has access to the “case materials, scene evidence or investigative interviews necessary to complete a thorough and independent investigation.” Due to the lack of this information, the BCA has “reluctantly withdrawn” from the investigation.
“We expect the FBI to conduct a thorough and complete investigation and that the full investigative file will be shared with the appropriate prosecutorial authorities at both the state and federal levels,” the statement added.
On January 7, an ICE agent shot at an anti-ICE protester after the individual attempted to run them over. The ICE officer, “fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin explained, noting that the action “saved his own life and that of his fellow officers.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned ICE’s presence. “I am aware of a shooting involving an ICE agent at 34th Street & Portland,” he said. “The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city. We’re demanding ICE to leave the city immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.”
Governor Tim Walz (D) challenged DHS’s statement that the officer acted in self-defense. “I’ve seen the video. Don’t believe this propaganda machine,” he said. “The state will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice.”
DHS has deployed more than 2,000 officers to the area.
