A shooting incident unfolded Wednesday evening in north Minneapolis during an arrest operation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, as they faced an assault from individuals armed with shovels. This event occurred in the context of Operation Metro Surge, as detailed by several U.S. officials.
During the confrontation, a Venezuelan migrant was shot in the leg but is expected to recover, according to two officials. The situation escalated rapidly, leading to a large crowd gathering at the scene, where demonstrators clashed with law enforcement later that night.
This incident follows a recent shooting where ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good in south Minneapolis, raising tensions in the community.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, alongside Police Chief Brian O’Hara, addressed the media late Wednesday night, urging for calm and advising protestors not to engage with provocations from the Trump administration. Frey described the situation as chaotic, stating, “We have approximately 600 police officers in Minneapolis … and there are approximately 3,000 ICE agents in the area,” emphasizing the overwhelming presence of federal agents throughout the city and the state.
Frey expressed concern over the unsustainable nature of the unfolding events and the challenges faced by the city in maintaining peace and safety for residents. He took to social media, stating, “America, this is not the path we can be on. I have seen conduct from ICE that is intolerable. And for anyone taking the bait tonight, stop. It is not helpful. We cannot respond to Donald Trump’s chaos with our own chaos.”
In a stark response, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche accused Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Frey of inciting violence, labeling their actions as a failure in governance. He vowed to take necessary measures to stop what he termed “terrorism” from the local leadership.
Law enforcement officials reported that the shooting occurred around 7 p.m. during a targeted ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) action near North Sixth Street and North 24th Avenue. The primary suspect, described as an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, allegedly attacked an ICE officer with a shovel, prompting the officer to discharge his firearm in self-defense.
Following the shooting, the wounded individual fled into a nearby residence, which was later found to harbor three additional targets. All four individuals reportedly barricaded themselves inside, leading to the deployment of a specialized tactical team to breach the premises. All individuals were ultimately taken into custody.
Both the injured ICE officer and the migrant were transported to the hospital, though details regarding their conditions remain unconfirmed. Initial reports from Homeland Security indicated that the Venezuelan national had attempted to evade arrest by fleeing in a vehicle before crashing it into a parked car and fleeing on foot.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security noted that the officer was assaulted as he attempted to make an arrest. The struggle escalated when two other individuals emerged from a nearby apartment, attacking the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle, compelling the officer to fire in defense.
Earlier on the same day, Governor Walz delivered a rare primetime address, urging President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to “end the occupation” of Minnesota, while encouraging residents to document the actions of federal agents for potential future legal actions.
In a social media post later that night, Walz expressed solidarity with the community, stating, “I know you’re angry. I’m angry. What Donald Trump wants is violence in the streets. But Minnesota will remain an island of decency, of justice, of community, and of peace. Don’t give him what he wants.”
