A man from Venezuela was shot in the leg by an ICE agent in North Minneapolis on Wednesday.
The incident happened around 6:50 p.m. during a traffic stop. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the man, who they say entered the U.S. illegally in 2022, tried to get away.
DHS said the man crashed his car into a parked vehicle and then ran away on foot. When officers caught up to him, he allegedly resisted arrest and attacked an officer. The DHS also stated that two other people came out of a nearby apartment and started attacking the officer with a snow shovel and broom handle.
The agent, fearing for his safety, fired a shot at the man, hitting him in the leg, according to the DHS.
After the shooting, the man and the other two people went back into the apartment. They were later taken into custody. The injured man and the officer were both taken to the hospital. Their current condition is unknown.
Following the incident, the City of Minneapolis asked people to stay calm. They also demanded that ICE leave the city immediately, expressing support for immigrant and refugee communities.
Protests broke out in the area, with some people throwing fireworks, ice, and rocks at officers. Police Chief Brian O’Hara said that gas was used to try and break up the “unlawful assembly” and urged people to leave the area.
Mayor Jacob Frey urged protesters to remain peaceful. He also stated that the city is in a difficult situation, trying to balance safety, order, and the protection of its residents. He mentioned that the city has filed a lawsuit to stop ICE’s actions.
This shooting comes after another recent incident where an ICE agent fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis. The mayor said that people are scared and the atmosphere is tense.
