Incident in Minneapolis Leads to Shooting
A federal officer discharged his weapon and injured a man in Minneapolis after being assaulted with a shovel and broom handle during an arrest attempt, authorities reported on Wednesday.
The scene quickly became tense as smoke filled the area, with federal officers in protective gear deploying tear gas and grenades against protesters. The protesters, meanwhile, responded by throwing snowballs and chanting, “Our streets.”
Such confrontations have become frequent since the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration agent on January 7. In recent weeks, federal agents have been involved in pulling individuals from vehicles and homes, facing resistance from bystanders urging them to leave.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement via social media platform X, explaining that federal law enforcement intercepted a Venezuelan national illegally residing in the U.S. The individual attempted to flee, crashing into a parked car and fleeing on foot. When officers caught up, two more individuals allegedly joined the confrontation, attacking the officer.
“Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired a defensive shot to defend his life,” DHS explained.
The two individuals who emerged from the nearby apartment are now in custody. The man who was shot is currently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to city officials in Minneapolis, who urged the public to stay calm amid the unrest.
The incident occurred roughly 4.5 miles north of where Good was killed. For more background on the original incident, please refer to the AP News report.
Legal and Military Developments
In court, the Trump administration was granted time to respond to Minnesota’s request for a suspension of the immigration crackdown. This comes as the Pentagon considers deploying military lawyers to assist with the ongoing law enforcement operations in the state.
State Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter emphasized the need for a pause, stating, “What we need most of all right now is a pause. The temperature needs to be lowered.”
U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez indicated urgency, promising to prioritize the case. The U.S. Justice Department has until Monday to respond to the request for a restraining order. Concurrently, a separate lawsuit challenges the tactics employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal officers against protesters and observers. A decision could be reached soon.
For an in-depth look at the court proceedings, refer to the AP News article.
Federal Response and Public Reaction
The Department of Homeland Security has announced over 2,000 arrests since December, with no plans to reduce enforcement efforts. The Pentagon is reportedly calling on military branches to provide 40 judge advocate general officers, with 25 of them potentially serving as special assistant U.S. attorneys in Minneapolis.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s request for military lawyers was reported by CNN, with Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson sharing on X that the military “is proud to support” the Justice Department.
Amidst the tensions, Governor Tim Walz addressed the state, describing the situation as chaotic. “Let’s be very, very clear, this long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement,” he declared, criticizing the federal government’s actions.
Meanwhile, the family of Renee Good, who was killed in the earlier incident, has engaged a law firm renowned for representing George Floyd’s family to conduct an independent investigation. They aim to ensure that Good is seen as “an agent of peace for all,” rather than a political tool.
For further details on the military’s involvement, see the AP News story.
Community Response
In response to the rising tensions, students from St. Paul organized a protest at the state Capitol, carrying signs with messages like “Love Melts ICE.” Meanwhile, the University of Minnesota has alerted its students to potential online class options due to the ongoing unrest.
For more on the community’s reaction and the university’s response, visit the AP News photo gallery.
