A US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer shot and killed a woman during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, igniting immediate outrage and demands for the federal agency to leave the city.
Chaos in a Snowy Residential Street
The fatal incident occurred in a residential neighbourhood of Minneapolis. According to a statement from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, the ICE officer fired "defensive shots" at a woman in a vehicle who was allegedly "attempting to run over our law enforcement officers".
McLaughlin described the woman as part of a group of "rioters". DHS Secretary Kristi Noem provided further context at a press briefing in Texas, claiming the incident was an "act of domestic terrorism".
She explained that ICE officers became stuck in the snow due to adverse weather while on an enforcement action. "They were attempting to push out their vehicle, and a woman attacked them and those surrounding them and attempted to run them over and ram them with her vehicle," Noem stated.
Immediate Political Fallout and City's Response
The response from Minneapolis local government was swift and unequivocal. Mayor Jacob Frey issued a statement demanding that ICE leave the city "immediately".
"The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city," Mayor Frey wrote on social media. "We're demanding ICE to leave the city immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities."
Neither the woman who was killed nor the ICE officer involved in the shooting have been publicly identified at this time, leaving a critical gap in the narrative as investigations begin.
A Breaking Story with Mounting Tensions
This shooting occurs within the highly charged context of US immigration policy and enforcement. The characterisation of the event varies dramatically between federal and local officials:
- Federal View (DHS): A defensive action against a violent attack during a lawful operation.
- Local View (Minneapolis Mayor): An unacceptable act causing chaos, necessitating the immediate removal of federal agents.
The stark divergence in accounts and the tragic loss of life ensure this will remain a major developing story, highlighting deep-seated tensions over immigration enforcement tactics in American cities.
