ICE Involved Shooting in Minneapolis

Overview of the Incident

On January 7, 2026, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot a 37-year-old U.S. citizen in south Minneapolis during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation. The shooting occurred near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, an area where federal agents were clashing with protesters opposing the arrests of undocumented immigrants.

The woman, whose identity has not been publicly released pending investigation, was driving a red Honda Pilot SUV and was described by witnesses and local officials as a legal observer monitoring the events when it appears she elected to use her vehicle to block in ICE agents, interfering with their ability to depart the scene. Officers approached her car, giving lawful orders that she exit the vehicle. Officers were standing on each side and in front of the vehicle. Video taken at the scene show that the woman, instead, put her vehicle in reverse and then into a forward gear and attempted to drive away. Upon striking an officer, shots were fired and the woman was pronounced dead at Hennepin Healthcare.

Federal Assertions Regarding the Vehicle as a Weapon

DHS and ICE officials have stated that the woman attempted to use her vehicle to ram or run over agents, classifying the action as an act of domestic terrorism and justifying the use of deadly force as self-defense. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the incident in a statement, saying the woman "attacked them and those surrounding them, and attempted to run them over and rammed them with her vehicle," adding that the agent "acted quickly and defensively and shot to protect himself and others." DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin echoed this, noting that "one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism." Federal officials reported that snowy conditions had left ICE vehicles stuck, making agents vulnerable on foot when the woman allegedly accelerated toward them. They also cited a broader context of increased threats against ICE personnel, including a 1,300% rise in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats.

Under U.S. law, vehicles can be considered deadly weapons in cases of vehicular assault if used with intent to cause harm, potentially warranting a defensive response with lethal force if officers reasonably fear imminent danger. Past inflammatory rhetoric from Govenor Walz is criticized by Trump administration as a major cause of violence against federal law enforcement officers.

Evidence Cited by Federal Supporters

Federal claims are supported by agent eyewitness accounts and unreleased body camera footage, according to DHS. Publicly available bystander videos, including a "new angle" widely shared on social media, show ICE agents approaching the SUV on foot. In one video, an agent is seen near the front left of the vehicle as it begins to move forward, appearing to make contact or be displaced before shots are fired through the driver's side window. DHS reported minor injuries to agents, though none required hospitalization.

Social media posts from users such as @nicksortor and @hodgetwins have circulated this footage, asserting it shows the woman "clearly hitting the agent with her car" and labeling the shooting as self-defense.

Protestors at the scene and other anti-ICE organizations have viewed the videos with an entirely different filter, calling the actions of ICE officers reprehensible and uncalled for.

Forensic reviews have confirmed the videos are authentic and unaltered.

Status of Investigations

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and FBI are investigating the shooting, with Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty advocating for a local probe. Body camera footage has not been released publicly. The incident has occurred amid heightened tensions over President Trump's immigration policies, with protests in sanctuary cities like Minneapolis.