by Minneapolis, Minnesota – A shooting broke out Wednesday night in north Minneapolis after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were attacked during an arrest operation connected to Operation Metro Surge, according to three U.S. officials who spoke with CBS News.
Officials said a Venezuelan migrant was shot in the leg during the confrontation and is expected to recover. The incident quickly drew a large crowd, with demonstrators clashing with law enforcement late into the night.
Shooting Follows Recent Deadly ICE Encounter
The shooting occurred exactly one week after ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman, during a separate incident in south Minneapolis. That earlier shooting had already heightened tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.
City leaders acknowledged that emotions were running high as news of the latest confrontation spread through the neighborhood.
City Leaders Call for Calm Amid Growing Tensions
Late Wednesday night, Jacob Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara held a joint news conference urging calm.
Frey called on demonstrators not to escalate the situation, warning against responding to federal actions with violence.
“We have approximately 600 police officers in Minneapolis, and there are approximately 3,000 ICE agents in the area,” Frey said. “We have ICE agents throughout our city and throughout our state who, along with Border Patrol, are creating chaos. This is not the path we should be on in America.”
O’Hara said Minneapolis officers responding to the scene were struck with fireworks, ice, and snowballs as crowds grew.
Conflicting Statements From State and Federal Officials
Frey described the situation as unsustainable, saying the city was being placed in an impossible position while trying to maintain safety and order.
On social media later that night, Frey added that he had seen “conduct from ICE that is intolerable” and urged residents not to escalate tensions further.
Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a sharply worded statement accusing Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz of encouraging violence against law enforcement.
“Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement,” Blanche said in a statement, adding that federal authorities were focused on stopping what he described as terrorism.
What Happened During the ICE Arrest Operation
According to law enforcement officials briefed on the incident, the shooting occurred around 7 p.m. near North Sixth Street and North 24th Avenue during a targeted ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations action.
Officials said the primary target of the operation, described as a Venezuelan national armed with a shovel, assaulted an ICE officer, striking the agent and attempting to hit the officer’s head. An ICE agent then opened fire, striking the man in the leg.
After being shot, the man fled into a nearby residence. Authorities later determined that three additional targets were inside the home. All four individuals allegedly barricaded themselves inside, prompting a tactical response.
Tactical Response and Arrests
Additional agents were called to the scene, and officers breached the home with assistance from an ICE specialized tactical team. Officials believe all individuals inside the residence were taken into custody.
Both the ICE officer who was struck and the man who was shot were transported to a hospital. The officer’s condition and the extent of injuries have not yet been confirmed.
Homeland Security officials said the Venezuelan national initially attempted to flee law enforcement in a vehicle before crashing into a parked car and escaping on foot.
DHS Says Officer Fired in Self-Defense
In a statement released Wednesday evening, the Department of Homeland Security said the officer was assaulted while the suspect resisted arrest. DHS officials said that while the officer was on the ground, two additional individuals joined the attack using a snow shovel and a broom handle.
“Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive shots to defend his life,” DHS said.
Walz Urges Nonviolence After Primetime Address
Less than an hour before the shooting, Walz delivered a rare primetime address calling on President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to end what he described as the federal “occupation” of Minnesota.
Walz also encouraged residents to film federal agents for potential use in future prosecutions. Later that night, he posted on social media acknowledging public anger but urging restraint.
“I know you’re angry. I’m angry,” Walz wrote. “What Donald Trump wants is violence in the streets. But Minnesota will remain an island of decency, of justice, of community, and of peace.”
Authorities say investigations into the shooting and the broader operation remain ongoing.
