Federal Officer Shot Person Hitting Him With 'Shovel Or Broom Stick,' DHS Says

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal law enforcement officer shot a person in the leg on Wednesday evening who officials say was attacking him in Minneapolis, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, fueling the continued public outcry against immigration authorities' ongoing presence in the Twin Cities.

"We understand there is anger. We ask the public to remain calm," the city of Minneapolis said in a social media post, adding in a separate post in the same thread that, "The City of Minneapolis again demands that ICE leave the city and state immediately. We stand by our immigrant and refugee communities — know that you have our full support."

The incident that led to the shooting began when federal officers conducted a targeted traffic stop at 6:50 p.m. of a person they described as "an illegal alien from Venezuela" who entered the country in 2022, the department said in a social media post, adding the person fled in his vehicle, hit a parked car, and then fled on foot.

An officer caught up to the person and tried to apprehend him, but the person "began to resist and violently assault the officer," according to the department, which said two people exited a nearby apartment and "attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle."

"As the officer was being ambushed and attacked by the two individuals, the original subject got loose and began striking the officer with a shovel or broom stick," the department said. "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 three people ran back into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside, according to the department, which said the officer and the person he was pursuing were both eventually taken to the hospital, and the other two people involved in the incident were taken into custody.

The shooting occurred in the 600 block of 24th Avenue North, according to the city of Minneapolis, which said in a social media post that the man who was shot did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

Smoke filled the street near the site of the shooting as federal officers and protesters squared off. A group of officers wearing gas masks and helmets fired tear gas and grenades into a small crowd while protesters threw snowballs and chanted, “Our streets.”

Such scenes have become common on the streets of Minneapolis since an immigration agent fatally shot Renee Good on Jan. 7. Agents have yanked people from cars and homes and been confronted by angry bystanders who are demanding that officers pack up and leave.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.