One person was killed Wednesday in Minneapolis after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents opened fire during a violent confrontation, which federal authorities are now calling an act of domestic terrorism.
DHS officials reported that ICE officers were conducting a targeted enforcement operation when a group of individuals interfered.
Authorities say a woman deliberately used her vehicle to threaten federal personnel, prompting defensive gunfire from the officers.
“Fearing for their lives and the safety of the public, ICE officers returned fire,” DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said. “The suspected attacker was struck and later pronounced dead. Officers injured in the incident are expected to recover fully.”
The confrontation occurred around 11:45 a.m. near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue.
Witnesses described a burgundy SUV with a bullet hole through the driver’s side windshield, along with a damaged streetlight.
Two additional vehicles were reportedly parked in violation of traffic rules, adding to the chaotic scene, Trending Politics reports.
Video footage from Freedom News TV shows ICE agents ordering the driver to exit her vehicle.
One officer opened fire as the woman accelerated toward him. Observers said she appeared to be attempting to flee before being struck.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the woman was subject to an active ICE warrant, though The New York Times reported she is married to a prominent activist, according to information from Sen. Tina Smith’s (D) office.
At a Wednesday press conference, he told the agency, “Get the f*ck out of Minneapolis,” a remark that sparked widespread backlash nationwide.
Frey and other local officials have since faced mounting pressure from residents and advocacy groups, with many calling for his resignation and accusing him of fueling tensions through his earlier public statements criticizing ICE enforcement.
Federal officials, however, emphasized that agents acted lawfully in response to a direct threat.
The incident comes amid an unprecedented federal immigration enforcement push in Minnesota.
Since late December, roughly 2,000 personnel—including ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection agents—have been deployed across the Minneapolis–St. Paul metro area.
The crackdown targets immigration violations, human smuggling and alleged fraud tied to public benefits programs, according to The Post Millennial.
Gov. Tim Walz (D) urged residents to remain calm while authorities continued collecting information.
“My public safety team is monitoring the situation closely. We will share updates as they become available,” he said.
McLaughlin noted that federal agents nationwide face rising threats. Assaults on ICE officers have surged, and death threats have increased dramatically, fueled in part by political rhetoric surrounding immigration enforcement.
The Minneapolis shooting underscores rising tensions between federal law enforcement and activist groups. Authorities stress that these confrontations highlight the dangers of urban enforcement operations and the necessity for officers to adhere to strict safety protocols.
Witnesses at the scene reported that the situation quickly escalated, with a crowd forming around the area. Observers said some agitators were throwing objects at officers and shouting at federal personnel.
The street remained closed for several hours as investigators collected forensic evidence and secured the scene.
As federal enforcement continues, officials say the incident is a stark reminder of the risks facing ICE personnel and the volatile environment in which they operate.
Authorities continue to call for public awareness, lawful compliance, and vigilance to ensure both officer safety and the protection of the community.
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