ICE Officer Shoots Man in Leg After Shovel Attack in Minneapolis

A federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot a Venezuelan man in the leg Wednesday afternoon in north Minneapolis after the man and two others attacked him with a shovel and a broom handle during an arrest attempt. The incident happened around 4.5 miles north of the site of another fatal shooting by a federal agent one week earlier.

Background

Tensions in Minneapolis have run high for weeks due to a large-scale federal immigration enforcement operation. The Department of Homeland Security has arrested more than 2,000 people in Minnesota since early December. Federal agents, including ICE officers, have flooded the city, outnumbering local police by a wide margin. Minneapolis has about 600 police officers, many not available at any given time, while around 3,000 federal agents operate in the area.

The operation targets people in the U.S. illegally, but it has sparked protests and lawsuits. Local leaders, including the mayor and governor, say the federal presence disrupts daily life and violates rights. Protests have grown, with some turning chaotic. Governor Tim Walz called the situation chaos that defies belief. He said it has moved beyond immigration enforcement into something else.

A federal judge is hearing cases on the matter. On Wednesday, a judge gave the Trump administration until Monday to respond to a request for a restraining order. The lawsuit, filed by Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, claims the federal actions violate free speech and other rights. The judge called the issues grave and kept the case moving quickly. Another related lawsuit challenges how federal officers deal with protesters and bystanders.

The Pentagon is getting involved too. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked military branches to send 40 judge advocate general officers, or JAGs. Twenty-five will act as special assistant U.S. attorneys in Minneapolis. A Pentagon spokesperson said the military is proud to support the Justice Department. Last week, 20 such lawyers went to Memphis for similar work.

Key Details

The shooting took place Wednesday in north Minneapolis. Federal officers stopped a Venezuelan national in the U.S. illegally. He drove away, crashed into a parked car, and ran on foot. When an officer caught up, two people came from a nearby apartment. All three attacked the officer with a shovel and a broom handle.

The Confrontation

The officer feared for his life as the three ambushed him. He fired one shot, hitting the Venezuelan man in the leg. The injury is not life-threatening. He went to a hospital. The two others from the apartment are in custody. No other injuries were reported among federal officers.

Minneapolis city officials posted on social media that they understand public anger but asked people to stay calm.

"This is not sustainable. This is an impossible situation that our city is presently being put in." – Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey

Mayor Frey spoke to reporters after the shooting. He pointed out the strain on local police. Officers handle homicides, carjackings, and other crimes, but now face pressure to confront federal agents. Residents ask police to stand by neighbors against ICE. Frey said two government entities should not fight each other.

This is the second shooting by a federal agent in a week. The first involved ICE officer Jonathan Ross, who killed a 37-year-old man named Good. Ross suffered internal bleeding to his torso in that encounter.

Former FBI special agent Nicole Parker commented on the latest shooting. She said DHS described it as an ambush where the agent acted in self-defense.

What This Means

The shooting adds to the strain in Minneapolis. Schools and cafes have closed as families fear raids. Parents scramble for childcare. Frey said a huge share of this year's shootings in the city involve ICE agents. He urged peaceful protests and told those causing trouble to go home. He said countering federal actions with chaos does not help undocumented residents or the city.

Federal officials show no sign of slowing down. DHS vows to continue arrests. The addition of military lawyers suggests the effort will grow. Local leaders push back through courts, hoping for quick relief. Frey said litigation is filed, but time is short. People are scared, and the air is tense.

Governor Walz spoke on television Wednesday evening. He described a campaign of brutality by the federal government against Minnesota people. The city asks for a pause to lower temperatures.

Protests continue, mostly peaceful. Thousands have taken to the streets. Frey applauded those efforts but warned against violence. He called for another path away from chaos.

The judge's decision on restraining orders could come soon. It may affect federal operations. Until then, federal agents keep working, and local police manage fallout. The imbalance in numbers leaves city resources stretched thin. Businesses shut down early. Families stay inside. The operation disrupts normal life across neighborhoods.

Federal statements emphasize officer safety. They say attacks like this justify defensive actions. DHS released details quickly on social media to explain the events. City responses focus on de-escalation and calm.

As court dates approach, all sides watch closely. The response from the Justice Department due Monday could shift things. Military support ramps up federal capacity. Local leaders say this path harms everyone. They seek an end to the massive deployment.