UPDATE: A Minneapolis motorist was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer during a controversial immigration enforcement operation on July 12, 2023. Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the officer’s actions as reckless and fiercely criticized federal authorities for creating chaos in the city.
During an urgent news conference just hours after the shooting, Frey expressed anger over the federal immigration crackdown that has instigated unrest in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. “They are not here to cause safety in this city. What they are doing is causing chaos and distrust,” Frey stated.
The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood, where the ICE officer reportedly opened fire after the woman attempted to drive toward law enforcement officers. The victim’s identity has not been released. Frey firmly rejected claims from federal officials that the shooting was an act of self-defense, insisting, “Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly, that is bullshit.”
This violent episode marks a significant escalation in a series of immigration operations under the Biden administration, with at least 2,000 officers deployed across the Twin Cities. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that “hundreds and hundreds” of arrests have already been made as part of this operation, which is linked to ongoing allegations of fraud involving Somali residents.
Following the shooting, a large crowd of protesters gathered at the scene, voicing their outrage towards federal and local law enforcement. Shouting slogans like “Shame! Shame! Shame!” and “ICE out of Minnesota!”, demonstrators expressed their anger at the heightened presence of immigration enforcement in their communities.
Frey emphasized the need for ICE to withdraw from the city, stating, “We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.” The shooting took place just blocks away from historic immigrant markets and approximately a mile from the site where George Floyd was killed by police in 2020, further intensifying local sentiments against federal law enforcement.
Reverend Hierald Osorto, of the predominantly Latino St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church, echoed the community’s anxiety, saying, “We’ve been trying to live life as fully as possible in light of the fear and anxiety that we feel.”
Activists and community leaders have been preparing for such incidents, establishing networks to monitor federal enforcement operations. On the night before the shooting, the Immigration Defense Network held a training session for about 100 participants, equipping them with knowledge and tools to respond to potential ICE activities.
As tensions rise, the community remains on alert, mobilizing to ensure the safety of residents amidst increasing federal enforcement actions. Local leaders are calling for immediate action to protect vulnerable families and restore trust within the community, stressing that the situation is far from resolved.
Watch for further updates as this developing story unfolds, and stay tuned for community responses and actions in the wake of this tragic incident.
