A U.S. immigration officer has fatally shot a 37-year-old woman during an incident in Minneapolis, authorities confirmed, triggering protests and sharp disagreements between federal officials and city leaders over what led to the shooting.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the incident occurred during an immigration enforcement operation when the woman, described by federal authorities as a “violent rioter,” allegedly attempted to run over an officer with a vehicle.
In a statement, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the officer fired his weapon in self-defence.
“The officer defensively shot to protect himself after an attempt was made to run him over,” Noem said.
However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly disputed the federal government’s account of events, calling for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to leave the city and demanding greater transparency over the shooting.
“This incident raises serious questions about the presence and conduct of federal immigration agents in our city,” Frey said, adding that Minneapolis had not been adequately briefed on the operation.
The shooting has sparked protests at the scene, with demonstrators gathering to demand accountability. Mayor Frey urged residents to remain calm and avoid escalating tensions.
“I urge people to show up with peace,” Frey said. “Do not give them what they want.”
The fatal shooting comes amid a large-scale immigration enforcement operation underway in Minneapolis and neighbouring St Paul, where federal authorities have deployed more than 2,000 agents as part of intensified immigration crackdowns.
Details surrounding the woman’s identity and the precise sequence of events leading up to the shooting remain unclear. DHS said the incident is under review, while civil rights advocates have called for an independent investigation.
The case is likely to intensify national debate over the use of force by immigration officers and the expanding scope of federal enforcement operations in U.S. cities, particularly those that have previously resisted cooperation with immigration authorities.
As investigations continue, tensions remain high in Minneapolis, with local officials and federal agencies offering sharply contrasting accounts of the deadly encounter.
