MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A shooting involving federal agents was reported on Wednesday in Minneapolis, coinciding with an extensive immigration enforcement operation that has sparked widespread controversy.
Live videos circulating on social media showed a substantial presence of federal and local law enforcement officials at the scene, where yellow police tape marked the area surrounding crash-damaged vehicles.
Officials confirmed the incident, advising the public to avoid the vicinity of East 34th Street and Portland Avenue where the shooting occurred.
The situation drew parallels to previous immigration crackdowns in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago, with bystanders openly expressing their disapproval. Protesters shouted at the federal agents, saying, “Shame! Shame! Shame!” as they blew whistles and urged them to leave the area.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed his outrage on social media, describing the actions of ICE as instigating 'chaos' within the city. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of immigration enforcement, stating, “We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.”
This incident follows the announcement by the Department of Homeland Security about an operation deploying 2,000 agents in the Twin Cities to investigate alleged fraud cases associated with Somali residents.
The Immigration Defense Network, a coalition focused on immigrant support, conducted a training session on Tuesday for volunteers willing to observe the federal enforcement actions and provide a protective presence for their community.
In the coming weeks, tensions may continue to rise, as local advocates and federal authorities navigate the impact of these decisive actions within the Minneapolis community.
