Kristi Noem says ICE agent 'feared for his life' before Minneapolis shooting

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday gave a detailed account of the moments leading up to a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis, describing a rapidly escalating confrontation that ended with an immigration agent firing what she called defensive shots.

Speaking at a news conference hours after the incident, Noem said the shooting occurred during an ICE operation earlier in the day, as agents were attempting to leave the area after one of their vehicles became stuck in the snow.

ICE agents blocked during Minnesota operation

According to Noem, ICE officers were carrying out enforcement actions around 10:25 am CT when their vehicle became immobilized. As agents worked to push the vehicle free, she said they were confronted by what she described as an increasingly hostile group.

“A mob of agitators that were harassing them all day began blocking them in, shouting at them, and impeding law enforcement operations,” Noem told reporters, emphasizing that the agents were attempting to disengage and leave the area.

She said officers then turned their attention to a woman in an SUV who was allegedly blocking their exit.

Kristi Noem details alleged vehicle attack on agents

Kristi Noem said ICE agents ordered the woman to exit her vehicle after determining that she was obstructing their movement. According to the secretary, the woman refused to comply with repeated commands.

“She had been stalking and impeding their work all throughout the day,” Noem said, characterizing the encounter as deliberate and sustained. The situation escalated moments later, Noem added, when the woman allegedly used her vehicle as a weapon.

“She then proceeded to weaponize her vehicle, and she attempted to run a law enforcement officer over,” Noem said, calling the act an attempted killing and “an act of domestic terrorism.” 

ICE agent fired after fearing for life, Noem says

Kristi Noem said the ICE agent involved believed his life and the safety of other officers nearby were in immediate danger.

“The ICE officer, fearing for his life and the other officers around him and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” she said. “He used his training to save his own life and that of his colleagues.” Federal officials later confirmed that the woman died from her injuries. Noem also stated that an ICE agent was struck by the vehicle during the encounter, a claim later echoed by Donald Trump.

Noem’s version of events has been disputed by Minnesota leaders and eyewitnesses, who say videos circulating online do not show the vehicle being used as a weapon.

​Tim Walz dismissed the federal narrative, while Jacob Frey said footage he reviewed did not support claims that the driver attempted to run over officers. The incident is now under investigation, including by the FBI. Authorities have not released the woman’s identity, and officials say additional evidence, including video footage, will be reviewed.