MINNEAPOLIS – A federal officer in Minneapolis was forced to defend himself after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle while attempting to make an arrest on Wednesday, officials have reported.
The incident led to clashes between law enforcement and protestors, with tear gas and grenades being deployed by officers in response to snowballs and chants from the crowd.
Tensions have been high in Minneapolis following a recent shooting involving an immigration agent. Federal agents have faced increased resistance and demands to leave the area.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that officers were apprehending a person from Venezuela who was illegally present in the U.S. The individual attempted to flee, crashing into a parked car before running away on foot.
According to the DHS, after officers caught up with the person, two others from a nearby apartment joined in, attacking the officer.
“Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired a defensive shot to defend his life,” the DHS stated.
The other two individuals involved in the attack are now in custody. The person shot was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover.
The city of Minneapolis acknowledged the community’s unrest, urging calm amidst the ongoing situation.
This incident occurred approximately 4.5 miles north of a previous officer-involved shooting.
Legal challenges and military support
Earlier in the day, a judge heard arguments regarding a request to halt the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota. The Pentagon is also exploring the possibility of deploying military lawyers to assist in the state’s law enforcement activities.
During the court hearing, Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter requested a pause, stating, “What we need most of all right now is a pause. The temperature needs to be lowered.” This request was made during the first hearing in a lawsuit filed by Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Local leaders argue that the government’s actions infringe upon free speech and other constitutional rights. U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez has committed to prioritizing the case, setting a deadline for the Justice Department to respond to the request for a restraining order.
Judge Menendez acknowledged the gravity and complexity of the issues at hand, noting the limited legal precedents available. Justice Department attorney Andrew Warden agreed with the judge’s approach.
The judge is also reviewing a separate lawsuit challenging the tactics employed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal officers when interacting with protestors and observers. A ruling is expected soon.
Gov. Tim Walz voiced strong criticism, describing the situation in Minnesota as “chaos” and accusing the federal government of “organized brutality against the people of Minnesota.”
“Let’s be very, very clear, this long ago stopped being a matter of immigration enforcement,” he said. “Instead, it’s a campaign of organized brutality against the people of Minnesota by our own federal government.”
Walz stated that the courts would be used to ensure “accountability.”
Military lawyers on standby
The Department of Homeland Security reports over 2,000 arrests in the state since early December, with no plans to decrease their efforts. The Pentagon is considering sending military lawyers to Minneapolis to provide support.
According to CNN, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is requesting that the military branches identify 40 lawyers, known as judge advocate general officers (JAGs), with 25 to serve as special assistant U.S. attorneys in Minneapolis.
Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson seemingly confirmed the CNN report, stating that the military “is proud to support” the Justice Department.
This move is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to deploy military and civilian attorneys to areas with active federal immigration operations. The Pentagon previously sent 20 lawyers to Memphis, according to U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant.
Mark Nevitt, a former Navy JAG and current associate professor at Emory University School of Law, has raised concerns about the potential impact on the military justice system.
“There are not many JAGs but there are over one million members of the military, and they all need legal support,” he said.
ICE officer injured
An official has disclosed that Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer involved in a recent shooting, sustained internal bleeding during the incident.
The Homeland Security official, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed that Ross suffered internal bleeding to his torso during the encounter. Further details regarding the severity, cause, diagnosis, and treatment of the injury were not provided.
Internal bleeding can result from various factors, ranging from minor bruising to significant blood loss. Videos from the scene showed Ross and other officers walking without any apparent issues following the shooting.
Ross, was involved in a controversial incident where he shot and killed a driver after the SUV she was in began to move forward.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended Ross’s actions, asserting that he was struck by the vehicle and that the driver was using the SUV as a weapon. Chris Madel, Ross’s attorney, has declined to comment on the officer’s injuries.
Seeking Justice
The family of the deceased has retained a law firm that previously represented George Floyd’s family, securing a $27 million settlement with Minneapolis. Floyd, a Black man, died in May 2020 after a white police officer kneeled on his neck.
The law firm asserts that the deceased was complying with instructions to move her car when she was shot. They plan to conduct an independent investigation and make their findings public.
“They do not want her used as a political pawn,” the firm said, referring to the deceased and her family, “but rather as an agent of peace for all.”
Student protest against ICE
Hundreds of students in St. Paul walked out of school and marched to the state Capitol to protest the ICE operation in freezing temperatures, carrying signs with messages such as “Love Melts ICE” and “DE-ICE MN.”
The University of Minnesota has announced that it is exploring online options for some courses in response to the recent unrest near campus. President Rebecca Cunningham noted that “violence and protests have come to our doorstep.” The university’s campus is adjacent to the main Somali neighborhood in Minneapolis.
