An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer has shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis, where high tensions have persisted since an ICE agent shot dead a woman the week prior.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that during a targeted traffic stop, a Venezuelan national was shot after resisting arrest and assaulting an officer. Sources revealed the man was shot as he allegedly attacked an ICE officer with a shovel.
Following the incident, fresh protests erupted near the scene, prompting city officials to appeal for calm, with Mayor Jacob Frey describing the situation as unsustainable. The protests trace back to the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent earlier this month, which ignited similar demonstrations across the United States.
The man shot in the recent exchange was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while the involved ICE officer was also treated for injuries. Further clashes occurred, with local law enforcement reporting encounters with projectiles like fireworks and snowballs from protestors.
In a bid for calm, officials stated, We understand there is anger. We ask the public to remain calm, while reiterating demands for ICE to withdraw from the city and state. The DHS reported the man exited his vehicle, leading to an altercation that involved two bystanders supposedly attacking the officer, leading to the defensive shot.
Minneapolis continues to endure heightened tensions regarding immigration enforcement, with approximately 3,000 federal officers deployed in recent weeks. The local government, alongside activists, has condemned the increased federal presence, claiming it creates chaos and unrest.
