Federal immigration agents shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, officials said, marking the second fatal shooting involving federal agents in the city in less than three weeks and prompting renewed protests and condemnation from state leaders.
The Department of Homeland Security said agents acted in self-defense during a targeted operation to arrest “an illegal alien wanted for violent assault,” claiming the individual approached officers with a 9 mm handgun and resisted attempts to disarm him.
“Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene,” DHS said.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said authorities believe the victim was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry. Minnesota allows open carry with a permit.
Video footage circulating online and later confirmed by authorities showed several agents, including at least one wearing a vest marked “POLICE,” surrounding a person on the ground and striking him as gunshots rang out.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz condemned the incident, calling it “another horrific shooting by federal agents,” and urged the White House to halt the operation.
“Minnesota has had it. This is sickening,” Walz wrote on X. “The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also called on President Donald Trump to end the federal immigration operation.
“This is a moment to act like a leader. Put Minneapolis, put America first in this moment — let’s achieve peace. Let’s end this operation.”
O’Hara described an “incredibly volatile scene” following the shooting and urged residents to avoid the area as police declared the protest an unlawful assembly and deployed tear gas to disperse crowds.
The shooting comes less than three weeks after federal agents killed Renee Good, a U.S. citizen, during immigration enforcement operations in the city. Protests have continued since that Jan. 7 shooting, which an autopsy later ruled a homicide. The officer involved has not been charged or suspended.
Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar also criticized the latest shooting, saying, “Donald Trump and all your lieutenants who ordered this ICE surge: watch the horrific video of the killing today. The world is watching.”