Anti-ICE protesters flee as federal agents deploy tear gas and flash bangs in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Anti-ICE protesters clashed with federal agents in Minneapolis, forcing authorities to deploy tear gas and flash bangs while demonstrators lobbed fireworks and other projectiles.

The chaos followed an earlier shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and a Venezuelan man accused of attacking officers with a shovel. The incident sparked street protests and set the stage for hours of unrest.

Videos on X showed protesters scrambling through clouds of smoke as loud explosions echoed through snowy streets, with federal agents moving in formation to regain control.

Raid sparks shooting, protests follow

According to Department of Homeland Security accounts, the confrontation traces back to an ICE operation earlier in the day. Agents attempted to detain individuals during a raid when the situation unraveled.

Authorities say the Venezuelan man fled a traffic stop, crashed his vehicle, and resisted arrest. DHS alleges he assaulted an officer and was joined by others wielding a snow shovel and a broom handle. One agent fired shots, striking the suspect in the leg. He was transported to a hospital and is expected to survive.

Word of the shooting spread quickly and drew crowds to the area. Protesters moved in to block federal vehicles, shouting slogans including “Nazi, Nazi."

As the crowd swelled, some protesters escalated the situation. Snowballs were hurled, roads were obstructed, and federal vehicles were boxed in.

One video shows a group surrounding an ICE truck, trapping agents inside. Officers responded with pepper spray in an attempt to push the crowd back.

Tear gas and flash bangs unleashed

By nightfall, federal agents moved rather decisively.

Tear gas canisters and flash bangs were deployed in rapid succession and sent protesters scattering. Clips posted by @HumanEvents show agitators fleeing down icy streets as thick smoke filled the air and explosions went off nearby.

A reporter at the scene could be heard shouting, “Oh, I got hit in the head really bad,” as law enforcement lines advanced.

The aggressive response appeared aimed at breaking up the crowd and freeing trapped federal vehicles. Multiple arrests were reported as agents pushed demonstrators out of the area.

Protesters accused federal agents of excessive force as they ramped up the crackdown. Amid the chaos, a 20-year US Navy veteran who was present voiced his frustration to journalists. “This isn’t the America I served for," he said.

Despite dispersal orders, clashes reportedly continued well past midnight.

Officials warn situation is ‘well past the line’

This marked the latest in a series of anti-ICE demonstrations in Minnesota, with similar incidents reported earlier in the week.

By Thursday morning, the area remained tense. Protesters were still refusing to stand down even as city officials arrived on site in an attempt to calm the situation. ICE had not released an official statement as of publication.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara condemned the violence.

“It is well past the line, and people need to leave,” O’Hara said, citing reports that protesters had thrown fireworks, rocks, and ice at officers. “This is already a very tense situation, and we do not need this to escalate any further." He urged demonstrators to disperse immediately amid ongoing reports of unlawful acts.