In brief
Authorities reported a shooting on Wednesday that involved federal agents in Minneapolis amid ongoing immigration enforcement operations. The city witnessed heavy police presence and community protests against federal immigration agents, with residents voicing their anger and demanding ICE's withdrawal from the area. Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the presence of federal agents, stating that they were causing chaos and expressing solidarity with immigrant communities.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities reported a shooting Wednesday involving federal agents in Minneapolis, where immigration enforcement has been conducting a major crackdown.
Live video posted online showed a large presence of federal and local officers, yellow police tape and cars that had been in a crash. Cmdr. Gregory Bovino of U.S. Customs and Border Protection was in the group.
“We are aware of a shooting involving federal law enforcement near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue. Please avoid this area,” the city government stated on X.
No other details about the shooting or crash were immediately available.
In a scene reminiscent of immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles and Chicago, bystanders expressed their anger, blowing whistles, taunting federal agents, and demanding their departure.
“Shame! Shame! Shame!” they chanted loudly from behind the police tape.
Following the shooting, Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the activities of immigration agents, stating they were “causing chaos in our city.”
“We are demanding ICE leave the city and state immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities,” Frey expressed on social media.
The Department of Homeland Security announced an extensive operation consisting of 2,000 agents and officers for the Minneapolis and St. Paul area, citing allegations of fraud related to Somali residents as part of the crackdown.
The Immigration Defense Network, a coalition of groups serving immigrants in Minnesota, held a training session for volunteers willing to monitor federal enforcement actions.
“I feel like I’m an ordinary person, and I have the ability to do something, so I need to do it,” Mary Moran shared with KMSP-TV.
