An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a 37-year-old woman in her vehicle during an immigration enforcement operation in southeast Minneapolis on Wednesday.
The woman was obstructing an ICE operation and drove her vehicle at an officer.
The shooting sparked immediate protests and sharp rebukes from city officials who described the action as “reckless” while federal authorities defended it as self-defense against an attempted vehicular assault.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the incident as “an act of domestic terrorism,” alleging the woman “attempted to run them over and rammed them with her vehicle” after blocking a roadway.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara provided details at a news conference, stating the woman was in her vehicle on Portland Avenue when an ICE officer approached on foot. “The vehicle began to drive off,” O’Hara said. “At least two shots were fired. The vehicle then crashed on the side of the roadway.”
The woman was struck in the head and pronounced dead at the scene.
Mayor Jacob Frey swiftly condemned the shooting and the federal presence, rejecting claims of self-defense. “The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city,” Frey posted on X, demanding that ICE “get the f— out” immediately.
Protests erupted shortly after the incident, with crowds gathering in snowy conditions on the city’s streets.
Video footage captured tactical ICE agents in riot gear clashing with demonstrators, including physical altercations and the deployment of yellow irritant spray amid chants and a heavy police presence.
And now Minneapolis is left with the oldest American question: what, exactly, happened— and who gets to say so?
Watch the clips below:
Tensions escalating at scene of deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 7, 2026
American flag being burned on the streets of Minneapolis.
These people are the enemy. pic.twitter.com/ruefRurGop
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) January 7, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: UTTER MAYEM in Minneapolis after a suspect is shot, federal agents unleash tear gas and pepper spray on leftist rioters
Minneapolis police aren't DOING A THING to protect federal agents' lives.
These masked Democrats should ALL be arrested! pic.twitter.com/ErUZAf9ESx
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 7, 2026
