Minneapolis — A U.S. citizen was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during a traffic-related incident in Minneapolis early January 7, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The shooting occurred near the intersection of 34th Avenue and Portland Avenue during an immigration enforcement operation.
DHS officials said the woman blocked officers with her vehicle and attempted to strike them, prompting an agent to fire three shots. The agency described the incident as a “domestic terrorism-related encounter,” stating that officers feared for their safety.
However, bystander video circulating online appears to show the woman slowly reversing her vehicle and turning away moments before the shooting. The footage does not clearly show contact between the vehicle and the officers, raising questions about the sequence of events and the use of force.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the federal government’s account, calling the official explanation “misleading” and demanding the removal of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations from the city. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also rejected the DHS characterization of the incident, calling it propaganda and announcing the activation of the National Guard amid public unrest.
The woman, whose identity has not been officially released, was not the target of the immigration operation, according to authorities. Family members described her as compassionate and community-oriented.
The incident injured several federal agents, though officials have not specified the extent of their injuries. Multiple investigations are underway, including a federal review and a local inquiry, to determine whether the use of lethal force was justified.
Protests erupted across Minneapolis following the shooting, with demonstrators calling for transparency, accountability, and an end to federal immigration enforcement actions within city limits.