ICE officer fatally shoots woman during Minneapolis operation

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers fatally shot a woman Wednesday during an operation in Minneapolis, sparking debate over the circumstances of the incident and the role of federal law enforcement in the city.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE officers were conducting targeted operations when a woman “weaponized her vehicle” by driving toward federal agents. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the incident as an act of self-defense.

“Today, ICE officers in Minneapolis were conducting targeted operations when rioters began blocking ICE officers and one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism. An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” McLaughlin said. “The alleged perpetrator was hit and is deceased. The ICE officers who were hurt are expected to make full recoveries. This is the direct consequence of constant attacks and demonization of our officers by sanctuary politicians who fuel and encourage rampant assaults on our law enforcement.”

Video footage of the incident circulated widely online. The videos appear to show the woman’s parked SUV partially blocking an ICE truck on a one-way street. An agent approached the vehicle briefly before the woman drove off. Shots were fired shortly after, as the SUV moved near ICE personnel amid protesters shouting nearby. The woman did not appear to be armed, and she was not reportedly the target of any ICE action.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) challenged DHS’s account during a press conference, calling the shooting reckless and demanding that ICE leave the city.

“ICE is already trying to spin this as an action of self-defense. Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly that it is bullsh**,” Frey said. “This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying.” He added, “To ICE, get the f*** out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some kind of safety and you are doing exactly the opposite.”

Governor Tim Walz (D) said the state will conduct a full investigation into the incident. “I’ve seen the video. Don’t believe this propaganda machine. The state will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice,” Walz said.

President Trump responded on Truth Social, expressing support for the ICE officer. “The woman screaming was, obviously, a professional agitator, and the woman driving the car was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self-defense,” Trump wrote.

The shooting comes amid heightened tensions surrounding ICE operations in liberal areas. DHS and Trump administration officials cite a rise in assaults and threats toward ICE agents, including violent incidents in Texas and other cities, while critics, including Democratic lawmakers, characterize the agency as a paramilitary force imposing harsh measures on civilians. The federal government has recently increased ICE’s budget to expand deportation efforts.

As investigations proceed, city and state authorities in Minnesota are reviewing the events, while ICE maintains that its officers acted to protect themselves and the public.