Federal immigration authorities fatally shot an armed individual during a targeted operation in Minneapolis on Saturday morning. Local Democratic leaders condemned the incident and blamed the Trump administration, while President Trump accused them of inciting unrest. The Department of Homeland Security described the shooting as defensive after the suspect resisted officers.
On Saturday morning at 9:05 AM CT, U.S. Border Patrol agents conducting a targeted operation in Minneapolis against an illegal immigrant wanted for violent assault encountered another individual who approached them with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the officers attempted to disarm the suspect, described as a 37-year-old white male with no ID and two additional magazines, but he violently resisted. Fearing for their lives, an agent fired defensive shots, and the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene near 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue despite immediate medical aid.
DHS noted that about 200 rioters arrived shortly after, obstructing and assaulting law enforcement, prompting crowd control measures. The incident is part of Operation Metro Surge, ongoing since late last year, which has led to over 3,000 arrests of individuals in the country illegally, including those with criminal convictions. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated, “DHS law enforcement continues to remove violent criminal illegal aliens from the streets of Minnesota,” highlighting recent arrests of pedophiles, sexual predators, and drug traffickers. She called on Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey to honor over 1,360 detainers for illegal aliens in state jails.
Local leaders responded swiftly without mentioning the suspect's armament. Governor Walz posted on X, “The President must end this operation. Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.” He added that the state must lead the investigation. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) called it “an execution by immigration enforcement,” saying she was “absolutely heartbroken, horrified, and appalled” that federal agents “murdered another member of our community.” Mayor Frey urged, “How many times must local and national leaders plead with you Donald Trump to end this operation.”
President Trump reacted on Truth Social, posting an image of the handgun and questioning, “Where are the local Police? Why weren’t they allowed to protect ICE Officers? The Mayor and the Governor called them off?” He accused Frey and Walz of “inciting Insurrection” and tied the operation to a fraud scandal, claiming billions stolen and questioning Omar's finances. Other Democrats, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, echoed calls to remove federal agents. A viral video of the incident has circulated on social media, and further details from DHS are expected.
This shooting follows heightened anti-ICE protests after the fatal incident involving Renee Good, whom authorities said attempted to hit an agent with her vehicle.
