UPDATE: An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during an immigration operation on December 27, 2023. The incident has sparked an intense backlash from local officials and residents, as conflicting narratives emerge regarding the circumstances leading to the shooting.
Developing reports indicate that the woman was not the target of the operation, contradicting claims from federal officials who labeled it a “vehicle ramming” incident. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a stern warning to the Trump administration, stating, “We do not need any further help from the federal government. To Donald Trump and Kristi Noem: you’ve done enough.”
Eyewitness accounts and video evidence have raised serious questions about the justification for the shooting. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin alleged that the woman “weaponized her vehicle,” attempting to run over officers. However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vehemently disputed this narrative, declaring, “Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is b—s—.”
The incident unfolded when ICE agents were conducting operations in a neighborhood that has already seen heightened tension due to increased federal presence. Video footage shows a gray pick-up truck approaching a burgundy SUV as agents confront the driver, who then attempts to reverse. An agent is seen drawing his firearm and firing as the SUV drives forward.
Residents quickly gathered at the scene, expressing outrage and chanting against the federal agents. Law enforcement deployed pepper spray and tear gas in response to the escalating situation. Witness Aidan Perzana stated, “It didn’t look like the woman was trying to run over an agent. There was plenty of space for the vehicle to make it through.”
The woman, described as a middle-aged white resident, was reportedly not involved in any law enforcement investigation at the time of the shooting. Mayor Frey emphasized the need for local law enforcement to prioritize the victim’s well-being over the presence of federal agents, stating, “To ICE, get the f— out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here.”
Local officials have expressed deep concern over the use of deadly force, particularly against someone who was unarmed. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara remarked, “It’s obviously very concerning whenever there’s a shooting into a vehicle of someone who’s not armed.”
The backdrop of this incident involves a significant increase in ICE activity in Minnesota, with over 2,100 officers deployed as part of what DHS has termed the “largest DHS operation ever” in the state. Since early December, ICE agents have arrested around 1,400 individuals, a stark rise from the roughly 300 arrests reported earlier in the month.
Community members continue to voice their fears about the aggressive tactics employed by federal immigration agents, especially in neighborhoods with diverse populations. Witness Grace Perzana, who has lived in the area for over two years, criticized the federal approach, highlighting the strong sense of community and art in the neighborhood.
As the investigation continues, the incident underscores the growing divide between federal immigration enforcement and local communities, fueling protests and calls for justice. Residents and local officials are left grappling with the implications of this tragic event, demanding accountability and a reevaluation of ICE’s presence in their city.
What’s next? The fallout from this shooting is likely to escalate, with community leaders and officials pushing back against federal tactics, and further protests expected in the coming days. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
