An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer has shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis, where tensions have been escalating following the recent shooting death of a woman by a federal agent. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the incident occurred during a 'targeted traffic stop' when the man, a Venezuelan national, resisted arrest and assaulted an officer.
US officials reported that the man was shot after allegedly attacking the ICE officer with a shovel. The incident has intensified public unrest, leading to clashes between protesters and law enforcement in the area. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the situation as 'unsustainable' and appealed for calm.
Tensions in Minneapolis have soared since January 7, when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent, an event that sparked widespread protests in the city and other parts of the country. In this latest shooting, both the man shot and the involved ICE officer were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the incident, protests erupted as demonstrators expressed further outrage over federal actions in the community. The city's police chief noted that officers were struck by various projectiles during the unrest. Minneapolis city officials reiterated their demands for ICE to cease operations in the area.
The DHS has stated that the man exited his vehicle during the traffic stop, leading to the altercation. Reports indicate that two others allegedly joined the confrontation against the ICE officer, prompting defensive shots to be fired.
In response, Minneapolis officials urged the public to remain calm while acknowledging the anger surrounding these incidents. The FBI has launched an investigation into the shooting, as community leaders continue to voice their concerns over federal immigration enforcement tactics.
This latest shooting comes amid a reported deployment of approximately 3,000 federal officers to Minnesota, an increase that has drawn criticism from local leaders.
