A 37-year-old woman was fatally shot Wednesday morning by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during a federal immigration enforcement action in south Minneapolis. The shooting has ignited fresh controversy over the tactics used by federal agents and raised urgent questions about the use of deadly force.
The incident occurred near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, where a heavy deployment of federal agents took place as part of a broad immigration crackdown announced just a day earlier.
Conflicting Accounts of the Shooting
Department of Homeland Security officials have maintained the ICE agent acted in self-defense. In a statement, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said the woman “weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them.”
“An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” McLaughlin added.
Federal authorities have not publicly released the name of the agent involved or detailed body-camera evidence.
However, city officials strongly dispute the federal version of events. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said video he reviewed does not support the claim that the woman posed a deadly threat.
“This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying,” Frey said at a midday news conference. “The narrative that this was just done in self-defense is a garbage narrative.”
Frey also urged federal agents to leave the city, saying their presence was “causing chaos on our streets.”
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz echoed concerns and called for calm. “We will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice,” he said on social media Wednesday afternoon.
Local Response and Investigation
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said local officers arrived to find the woman with a gunshot wound to the head. He noted there was no indication she was the target of any criminal investigation.
Officers and paramedics attempted life-saving measures at the scene before the woman was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, O’Hara said.
The FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension have taken over the investigation into the use of deadly force during the encounter.
Crowds gathered near the scene following the shooting, with demonstrators voicing frustration at both federal enforcement actions and the lack of clear information about the circumstances.
Supporters of the federal operation argue aggressive tactics are necessary to enforce immigration law, while critics say the woman’s death underscores deep concerns about accountability and civil liberties. Federal officials have said more details will be released as the investigation continues.