MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Authorities reported a shooting Wednesday involving federal agents in Minneapolis, where immigration enforcement has been conducting a major crackdown.
Live video footage showed a significant presence of federal and local officers at the scene, with yellow police tape marking the area and cars involved in a crash. Cmdr. Gregory Bovino of U.S. Customs and Border Protection was amongst the group.
The city government warned residents to avoid East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, stating, “We are aware of a shooting involving federal law enforcement near this area.” Details regarding the shooting or crash were not immediately available.
Amidst the operation, bystanders expressed their outrage, with chants of “Shame! Shame! Shame!” directed at the federal agents reminiscent of protests seen during immigration crackdowns in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
Following the shooting incident, Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the presence of ICE in Minneapolis, alleging that their actions were “causing chaos in our city.” He took to social media to demand that the federal agents leave the city and state immediately, declaring solidarity with immigrant and refugee communities.
The Department of Homeland Security had announced a large-scale immigration enforcement operation, deploying 2,000 agents and officers to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area in relation to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents.
The Immigration Defense Network, which aids immigrant communities in Minnesota, responded by holding a training session for approximately 100 people who are preparing to monitor federal enforcement actions. Mary Moran of the network emphasized her commitment to community support, stating her motivation to actively engage in protecting immigrant rights.
This incident highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the U.S. and reflects the complex dynamics between federal agencies and local communities.
