DHS says ICE agent fired to 'defend' himself after man attacked him with shovel in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) gave a detailed description of the man who was shot in Minneapolis during an incident involving ICE officers on the evening of Wednesday, January 14. 

Authorities say the situation began when officers tried to stop a Venezuelan national for a traffic stop as part of an enforcement action. DHS claimed that the encounter turned violent when the man resisted arrest and attacked the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle.

Facing what was described as an ambush, the officer "fired his weapon," hitting the suspect in the leg to "defend" his life. DHS provided a detailed account of the events on X (formerly Twitter), drawing attention due to the tense reactions it has sparked.

DHS describes a chaotic scene leading to defensive shooting in Minneapolis

According to DHS, the operation began around 6.50 pm CT when federal officers carried out a “targeted traffic stop in Minneapolis of an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022.” During the stop, the Venezuelan subject tried to evade arrest by leaving the scene in his vehicle and crashing into a parked car. After that, he “then fled on foot.”

DHS claimed that when the officers eventually caught up to him and tried to take him into custody, the man began to resist and “violently assault the officer.” While they were struggling on the ground, two other people suddenly came out of an apartment nearby and “also attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle.”

The department’s description also mentioned that as the officer was being ambushed by those two individuals, the original suspect broke free and “began striking the officer with a shovel or broomstick.”

With all three attacking him, the DHS statement said the agent, “fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, fired a defensive shot to defend his life. The initial subject was hit in the leg.”

After the shot was fired, the three people ran back into the apartment and barricaded themselves. DHS says, “The attacked officer and the subject are both in the hospital. Both attackers are in custody.”

Tensions rise in Minneapolis after ICE-related shooting amid growing unrest 

Tensions on the streets of Minneapolis remain high following another controversial law-enforcement incident, coming just a week after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother who was killed during a protest against ICE in the city. Good’s death sparked widespread demonstrations and criticism of federal immigration operations.

Previously, the DHS post outlined what happened to ICE officer Jonathan Ross during that earlier confrontation. According to DHS, Ross suffered internal bleeding after he was struck by Good’s vehicle on January 7. 

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem backed the agency’s position that the shooting was justified, saying Ross was hit by Good’s SUV, which supported claims the officer acted in “self-defense.” Noem said of Ross’s condition, “He went to the hospital. A doctor did treat him. He has been released, but he’s going to spend some time with his family.”