Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has rejected the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) account of a fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, calling the official version “bullshit” after viewing video of the incident. The shooting, which took place on Wednesday during an immigration enforcement operation, left a 37-year-old woman dead.
“Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly, that is bullshit,” Frey said at a news conference. “This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying, getting killed.” The DHS had claimed that the agent fired “defensive shots” after the woman “weaponised her vehicle” and attempted to run over officers.
Governor Tim Walz also dismissed the DHS account, stating, “I’ve seen the video… Don’t believe this propaganda machine.” He activated the state’s emergency operations centre and issued a warning order to prepare the Minnesota National Guard, urging residents to protest peacefully. Walz warned that the Trump administration’s operations were a threat to public safety.
Attorney General Keith Ellison said the decision to send armed ICE agents to Minnesota “is causing serious harm and spreading terror” and pledged to hold accountable anyone who broke the law. Senator Tina Smith described the situation as “volatile” and demanded that ICE leave for everyone’s safety. Representatives Kelly Morrison and Betty McCollum echoed the calls, with McCollum urging an independent investigation into the incident.
