ICE Agent Named After Woman Killed in Minneapolis; Video Evidence Emerges

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — A woman was shot and killed Wednesday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in south Minneapolis during what federal officials described as a targeted immigration enforcement operation, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

DHS said the shooting occurred during what it characterized as the largest ICE enforcement operation in Minnesota’s history, involving thousands of federal agents across the Twin Cities. Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the area near 33rd Street and Portland Avenue, where a significant federal and local police presence was established.

Minneapolis officials later said the woman who died was 37 years old, white, and alone in her vehicle at the time of the incident. Authorities did not immediately release her name.

In a statement posted on social media, DHS alleged that the woman attempted to use her vehicle in a manner that endangered officers during the operation. The agency said ICE officers were conducting targeted actions when individuals began blocking agents, and it claimed the woman drove toward officers, prompting an ICE agent to fire what DHS described as defensive shots.

According to DHS, the woman was struck and later pronounced deceased. Several officers were reported injured during the broader operation, though officials said their injuries were not life-threatening and they are expected to recover. Authorities did not confirm whether the woman was the subject of an ICE warrant.

Video from the scene shows a burgundy SUV with visible damage to the windshield that had crashed into a light pole, with two nearby parked vehicles also damaged. Local officials acknowledged the incident and urged residents to avoid the area as investigators worked to secure the scene.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said it was assisting at the location but was not directly involved in the shooting. Minneapolis city officials confirmed the involvement of federal law enforcement agencies.

The shooting occurred amid heightened tensions following the launch of a large-scale immigration enforcement operation announced by DHS earlier in the week. Federal officials said the operation involved approximately 2,000 agents and officers and was linked in part to broader federal investigations, including allegations of fraud within the Somali community.

As news of the shooting spread, large crowds of protesters gathered near the intersection. Demonstrators expressed anger toward federal authorities, and at times the situation escalated, with reports of confrontations and objects being thrown. Law enforcement officers deployed crowd-control measures, including pepper spray and tear gas, to disperse crowds and maintain order.

Several witnesses shared accounts of the moments surrounding the incident. Emily Heller, who lives near the intersection, said she was awakened by commotion and observed what appeared to be a confrontation involving federal agents and a woman in a vehicle that was blocking traffic. She said agents instructed the driver to leave the area before shots were fired. Heller reported that the vehicle then moved forward and later struck a utility pole and other cars, after which the driver appeared unresponsive.

Another witness near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue said they saw emergency responders attempting life-saving measures on an injured person before that individual was transported by ambulance.

Other observers suggested the woman may have been acting as a bystander or observer during the enforcement activity. Venus DeMars, a nearby resident, said she went outside after hearing reports of federal activity near Central Elementary School earlier in the day. She said she later saw emergency responders providing aid before paramedics arrived, though she did not witness the shooting itself and could not confirm who fired the weapon.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said his public safety team is aware of the ICE-related shooting and is monitoring developments, urging residents to remain calm as information continues to be gathered.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also confirmed the involvement of a federal immigration agent and criticized the federal presence in the city, saying it contributed to unrest and calling on ICE to leave Minneapolis. He reiterated the city’s support for immigrant and refugee communities.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, including Commander Gregory Bovino, were reported to be present at the scene. Authorities have not yet said whether body-worn camera footage or other video evidence is being reviewed.

The incident remains under active investigation by federal authorities, and officials said additional details are expected as the inquiry continues.