An incident during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis resulted in the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE officer on March 15, 2023. According to a statement from Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, the officer fired shots after the woman allegedly attempted to run over law enforcement personnel with her vehicle.
McLaughlin described the event on X, stating that ICE officers were engaged in “targeted operations” when they were confronted by individuals blocking their path. She characterized the woman’s actions as an act of “domestic terrorism,” claiming she posed an immediate threat to the lives of the officers. The officer, fearing for the safety of his colleagues and the public, discharged his weapon, resulting in the woman’s death.
Witnesses provided conflicting accounts of the incident. One individual told FOX 9 in Minneapolis that the vehicle was not advancing toward the officers when the shots were fired. Other witnesses reported that the officer discharged his weapon three times through the driver’s side window.
In her remarks, McLaughlin highlighted what she termed a surge in violence against ICE officers, citing a staggering 1,300% increase in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them. She attributed these trends to what she called the “constant attacks and demonization” of law enforcement by politicians in sanctuary jurisdictions.
The operation in Minneapolis, which began on March 14, saw over 2,000 ICE agents deployed across the city. Acting Director Todd Lyons explained that agents were conducting inspections at businesses suspected of hiring undocumented workers and those potentially involved in human trafficking and fraud.
Following the shooting, Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, indicated on X that his public safety team was looking into the incident. He urged the community to remain calm while more details were gathered. City officials confirmed awareness of the shooting and advised residents to avoid the area around East 34th Street and Portland Avenue.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed concern over the presence of federal immigration enforcement in the city, stating that it has led to chaos. “We’re demanding ICE to leave the city immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities,” he declared.
In a similar vein, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar also took to social media to voice her apprehension about the situation, asserting that ICE must cease its operations in the city and stop what she described as the terrorization of local communities.
As investigations into the incident continue, both local and federal authorities are expected to release more information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The event has reignited discussions about immigration enforcement practices and their implications for community safety.
