A man shot by federal immigration agents during an operation in Minneapolis has died, the city’s police chief confirmed on Saturday, marking the second fatal shooting involving federal agents in the city in less than three weeks.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said in a statement that the man was armed but provided limited details about the circumstances surrounding the incident and did not initially confirm his death. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the incident, describing it as “another horrific shooting.”
In a post on X, DHS said the shooting occurred during what it described as a “targeted operation” against an undocumented immigrant wanted for violent assault. The agency said an officer fired “defensive shots” after fearing for his life and the safety of other officers. Emergency medical personnel reportedly provided aid at the scene, but the man was pronounced dead.
Governor Walz said he had discussed the incident with the White House, expressing frustration over the continued federal enforcement actions in the state.
“Minnesota has had it. This is sickening,” Walz said, calling on President Donald Trump to end the operation and withdraw federal agents from the state.
Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar also criticised the shooting, describing it as an “execution” and accusing the Trump administration of turning Minneapolis into a “war zone.”
The incident comes amid an expanded federal immigration enforcement campaign that has seen thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents deployed to the Democratic-led city. Minneapolis has experienced sustained protests since January 7, when federal agents shot and killed Renee Good, a US citizen.
An autopsy later ruled Good’s death a homicide, a designation that does not automatically imply criminal wrongdoing. The officer involved in that shooting has not been suspended or charged.
Public anger intensified again this week following reports that federal agents detained a five-year-old child during an operation targeting the boy’s father.
Reacting to Saturday’s shooting, Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar urged federal authorities to account for their actions, saying public scrutiny of the enforcement operation was intensifying.
