A north Minneapolis shooting left one man injured Wednesday night after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who were attacked by men with shovels during an arrest operation as part of Operation Metro Surge.
The man who was shot, an undocumented Venezuelan migrant according to officials with the Department of Homeland Security, suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the hospital. An ICE agent who was attacked during the incident was also taken to the hospital for treatment of unknown injuries.
What we know
Federal officials said Wednesday night that the incident happened just before 7 p.m. when federal law enforcement officers were conducting a traffic stop in Minneapolis, "of an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022."
The suspect fled the scene in a vehicle and later fled on foot after crashing the vehicle into a parked car. An officer eventually caught up to him and attempted to apprehend him when, "the subject began to resist and violently assault the officer."
During that assault, DHS said two other men emerged from a nearby apartment and attacked the officer with a snow shovel and broom handle. The original suspect then got free and began hitting the officer, who "fearing for his life and safety" shot the initial subject in the leg.
All three men barricaded themselves inside an apartment and were later arrested.
Minneapolis Mayor and Police Chief respond
Protesters gathered at the scene of Wednesday night's shooting and clashed with law enforcement.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O'Hara held a joint news conference where Frey called for crowds to quell their emotions.
"I've seen conduct from ICE that is disgusting and is intolerable," Frey said. "If it were your city, it would be unacceptable there too. For anyone who is taking the bait tonight, stop."
Chief O'Hara said Minneapolis police secured the crime scene and requested mutual aid from both the Minnesota State Patrol and Hennepin County Sheriff's Office to handle the crowd "engaging in unlawful acts."
"They have thrown fireworks at police officers and at multiple times, gas has been deployed," O'Hara said.
Wednesday night's shooting happened one week after Renee Good, 37, was shot and killed in south Minneapolis by ICE officer Jonathan Ross. That killing sparked continued protests, with many of the protests gathered around the Whipple Federal Building where federal officers are operating.
Frey said the ongoing situation "is not sustainable."
"This is an impossible situation that our city is presently being put in." Frey added.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on X criticized both Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Frey of stoking the violence throughout the city:
"ICE operates in thousands of counties without incident. Men and women doing their jobs, protecting us from criminal aliens. Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement. It’s disgusting. Walz and Frey - I’m focused on stopping YOU from your terrorism by whatever means necessary. This is not a threat. It’s a promise."
Prior to the shooting, Governor Walz urged President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to "end the occupation" of the state and for Minnesotans to film federal agents' actions.
Following the shooting Walz posted on social media, "State investigators have been on the scene in North Minneapolis. 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."
The Minnesota BCA said last Wednesday night it was conducting an independent investigation into the shooting and that their team had processed the scene and left the area.