A federal agent shot and killed a woman during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Wednesday, sparking immediate protests and outrage. The Guardian, shadowing trained observers, reported that ICE vehicles lined the street as yellow police tape cordoned off the area. Dozens of protesters shouted at ICE agents and local police, demanding the agent who fired the shot be arrested.
Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the operation at a press conference, saying: “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. People are being hurt.” He added that families were being “ripped apart” and that long-term residents were being “terrorised”.
The shooting occurred on the second day of a planned 30-day surge, which ICE has described as its largest operation to date. Trained observers went door-to-door asking residents for any video footage. City council members, the mayor and Police Chief Brian O’Hara all visited the scene. Minneapolis police later took over, and as ICE agents left, bystanders threw snowballs at their vehicles. Agents responded by spraying irritants and firing pellets.
Volunteer medics treated those hit by spray. The victim, a 37-year-old white woman, has not been publicly identified. The FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are jointly investigating the shooting, with the latter examining potential violations of state law.
