A shocking incident unfolded in north Minneapolis on Wednesday night, where a man from Venezuela was shot by officers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This event occurred just a week after an ICE officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good, raising significant concerns within the community regarding federal enforcement actions.
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop around 6:50 p.m. on January 14, in the 600 block of 24th Avenue North. This location is approximately 4.5 miles from where Renee Good was shot on January 7. The individual, who was in the United States illegally, attempted to escape, crashing his vehicle into a parked car before fleeing on foot.
Upon reaching the suspect, DHS reported that two additional individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and attacked the officer. The officer, fearing for his life amid the assault, discharged his weapon in self-defense. The man shot sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was promptly transported to a local hospital, as confirmed by the City of Minneapolis via social media. The officer involved was also taken to the hospital, although the extent of his injuries remains undisclosed.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed deep concerns regarding the escalating tensions between local residents and federal enforcement agencies. In a statement, Frey described the situation as "unsustainable," emphasizing the need for a resolution that ensures community safety while addressing the complexities of immigration enforcement.
Frey stated, "We are in a position right now where we have residents asking our already limited number of police officers to confront ICE agents on the streets. We cannot allow this conflict between two governmental entities to continue." He called for peaceful protests and urged the community to refrain from escalating tensions, labeling some ICE actions as "disgusting and intolerable."
The incident sparked immediate protests, with crowds gathering to voice their discontent and demand the removal of ICE from Minneapolis. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara reported that protesters engaged in unlawful activities, including throwing fireworks and snowballs at law enforcement officials, prompting authorities to deploy chemical irritants to disperse the crowd.
O'Hara emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation, stating, "This is already a very tense situation, and we do not need this to escalate any further." As tensions continued to rise, officials set up barricades to manage the growing crowds and maintain safety around the shooting scene.
In a detailed statement, DHS explained that the shooting occurred during a targeted operation aimed at apprehending an illegal alien from Venezuela. The agency noted that the individual had previously been released into the country under the Biden administration in 2022. The statement described the sequence of events leading to the shooting, including the suspect's violent resistance and the involvement of two additional attackers.
As the situation developed, both the officer and the suspect were hospitalized, while the two assailants were taken into custody. DHS highlighted a troubling trend, reporting a staggering 1,300% increase in assaults against federal law enforcement officers, emphasizing the dangerous environment in which they operate.
As the community grapples with the fallout from this incident, Mayor Frey and Chief O'Hara plan to provide further updates and information to the public. The City of Minneapolis remains committed to supporting its immigrant and refugee communities while navigating the challenges posed by federal immigration enforcement.
In the coming days, residents are encouraged to stay informed through the City of Minneapolis's official social media channels and website for updates regarding this ongoing situation.