> At a Glance
> – A 37-year-old woman was shot and killed by an ICE agent during an immigration operation in Minneapolis
> – Mayor Jacob Frey reviewed video and called ICE’s self-defense claim “bulls—“
> – ICE has arrested roughly 1,400 people in the city since early December
> – Why it matters: The incident escalates tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local officials as DHS plans the “largest operation ever” in Minnesota
A Minneapolis woman is dead after an ICE agent opened fire during an immigration operation, prompting Mayor Jacob Frey to demand federal agents leave the city immediately.
The Shooting
Video shows agents surrounding a burgundy SUV when the driver reverses and moves forward. An agent near the front fires three shots, the vehicle crashes, and the 37-year-old driver dies.
Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claims the woman “weaponized her vehicle” and tried to run over officers. Mayor Frey strongly disputes this after reviewing footage.
Mayor Jacob Frey stated:
> “Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is bulls—.”
Conflicting Accounts
Secretary Kristi Noem called the incident “an act of domestic terrorism” and praised the agent for “defensive shots” that saved lives.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara offered a different perspective:
> “This woman was in her car and it appears then blocking the street because of the presence of federal law enforcement.”
Witness Aidan Perzana, 31, told NBC News the driver seemed to be fleeing, not attacking.
Escalating Enforcement
Since December, ICE arrests in Minneapolis have surged:
- Early December: ~300 arrests
- Current total: 1,400 arrests
- Planned force: 2,100 officers (1,500 enforcement/removal, 600 HSI agents)
The operation follows a conservative influencer’s video claiming Somali-run daycare fraud, though Minnesota investigators found all 10 checked centers operating normally.
Mayor Frey delivered a direct message:
> “To ICE, get the f— out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here.”
Community Impact
After the shooting, residents gathered in the street chanting and throwing snowballs at federal agents. Law enforcement responded with pepper spray and tear gas.
Many Somali-American citizens report staying indoors, fearing random enforcement actions.
Key Takeaways
- A woman died after an ICE agent fired into her vehicle during an immigration operation
- Minneapolis leaders reject federal claims the shooting was self-defense
- ICE operations have quadrupled arrest numbers since early December
- DHS is deploying 2,100 officers for what they call Minnesota’s largest enforcement operation
The incident intensifies the standoff between federal immigration authorities and city officials as operations continue expanding across Minneapolis.
