Federal officers shot and killed a 37-year-old man during an operation in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, authorities said, sparking protests and sharp criticism from state leaders.
The shooting occurred around 9:00 a.m. near West 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue while Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers were carrying out what officials described as a targeted enforcement operation.
According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, officers were attempting to apprehend an individual they identified as a suspect wanted in connection with a violent assault. McLaughlin said the man approached U.S. Border Patrol officers while armed with a handgun and resisted efforts to disarm him. During the confrontation, an officer fired what DHS characterized as defensive shots.
Emergency medical personnel provided aid at the scene, but the man was pronounced dead. DHS stated the individual was carrying two magazines and did not have identification on him at the time of the shooting.
Minneapolis police later confirmed the deceased was a 37-year-old white male from the city. Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the man was believed to be a lawful gun owner and, to his knowledge, had no prior criminal history beyond parking-related violations.
O’Hara said preliminary information indicated that more than one law enforcement officer discharged a weapon during the encounter. He also referenced publicly available video footage showing multiple officers engaged in a physical struggle with an individual prior to the shooting.
When asked about discrepancies between the federal account and what could be seen in the video, O’Hara declined to offer further interpretation, stating that the footage should be reviewed on its own.
Following the shooting, at least 200 protesters gathered near the scene, leading to tense confrontations between demonstrators and federal law enforcement officers. Authorities urged the public to remain calm and avoid the area as officials worked to gather additional details.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz responded forcefully to the incident, saying he had spoken with the White House shortly after the shooting. In a public statement, Walz called the incident “sickening” and demanded an end to the ongoing federal operation in the state.
“The President must end this operation,” Walz said. “Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”
The shooting comes weeks after another fatal incident in Minneapolis involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, further intensifying scrutiny of federal law enforcement activity in the city.
Federal officials said the incident remains under investigation.