A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer working in Minnesota shot and killed an anti-ICE protester after the individual attempted to run them over.
Assistant Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin explained the situation on social media, writing, “Today, 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—an act of domestic terrorism.”
The ICE officer, “fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” she said, noting that the action “saved his own life and that of his fellow officers.”
McLaughlin added that the action and death of the protester marks a “direct consequence of constant attacks and demonization of our officers by sanctuary politicians who fuel and encourage rampant assaults on our law enforcement.”
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.”
The City of Minneapolis similarly claimed on social media that the “presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city and making our community less safe.”
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.”
