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A federal law enforcement officer shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis on Wednesday after being attacked during an arrest attempt, according to government officials. The incident has further intensified tensions already gripping the city amid ongoing immigration enforcement operations.
Officer Injured During Arrest Attempt
According to the Department of Homeland Security, officers were attempting to detain a man from Venezuela who was allegedly in the United States without legal authorization.
Officials stated that the individual initially fled the scene in a vehicle, crashed into a parked car, and then escaped on foot.
When officers caught up to him, two additional individuals emerged from a nearby apartment. Authorities say all three began assaulting the officer, using a shovel and a broom handle during the confrontation.
DHS said the officer, fearing for his life while being attacked by multiple people, discharged his firearm in self-defense, striking one individual in the leg. The injured man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to city officials.
The two other individuals involved in the assault were taken into custody.
Protests and Tear Gas Follow Shooting
Following the shooting, smoke and tear gas filled the street as federal officers wearing helmets and gas masks faced off against protesters. Demonstrators threw snowballs, chanted slogans such as “Our streets,” and accused federal agents of overreach.
City officials acknowledged public anger but urged calm, stating on social media that the situation remains under investigation.
The incident occurred approximately 4.5 miles north of a separate fatal shooting earlier this month that has already heightened community tensions.
Background: Fatal ICE Shooting Sparks Citywide Anger
Public unrest in Minneapolis escalated after an immigration officer fatally shot Renee Good on January 7. Since then, federal agents have conducted aggressive arrests, including detaining people in cars and homes, often drawing confrontation from bystanders.
Video footage from that earlier incident shows officers surrounding Good’s SUV, ordering her to open the door. As the vehicle moved forward, an officer fired multiple shots at close range. Federal officials later claimed the officer had been struck by the vehicle, describing the shooting as self-defense, a claim disputed by Minnesota leaders.
Legal Challenges and Courtroom Clashes
Earlier Wednesday, Katherine Menendez, a U.S. District Judge, allowed the Trump administration time to respond to a legal request seeking to pause federal immigration actions in Minnesota.
The lawsuit, brought by the state and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, alleges violations of constitutional rights, including free speech protections.
State Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter argued that tensions have reached dangerous levels and called for an immediate pause in enforcement operations.
The Justice Department was given until Monday to respond to a request for a temporary restraining order. The judge described the legal issues as “grave” and acknowledged limited legal precedent.
Governor Walz Calls Situation “Chaos”
During a televised address, Tim Walz described Minnesota as being in turmoil, saying the current situation has gone far beyond immigration enforcement.
He accused the federal government of carrying out what he described as a campaign of organized brutality and emphasized that accountability would be pursued through the courts.
Pentagon Considers Sending Military Lawyers
The Department of Defense is reportedly preparing to deploy military legal officers to Minneapolis. According to a CNN report, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth requested dozens of Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers to assist federal prosecutors.
Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson publicly confirmed the effort, stating that the military is supporting the Justice Department.
Legal experts, including Mark Nevitt, have raised concerns that diverting military lawyers could weaken legal support for active service members.
Officer Involved in Fatal Shooting Also Injured
A Homeland Security official told Associated Press that Jonathan Ross, the officer who killed Renee Good, suffered internal bleeding during the encounter. Details about the severity and timing of the injury were not disclosed.
Attorney Chris Madel, representing Ross, declined to comment.
Good’s Family Seeks Independent Investigation
Good’s family has retained Romanucci & Blandin, the same firm that represented the family of George Floyd. The firm disputes federal claims, stating Good was following officer instructions when she was shot.
The family says they want the case handled with transparency and do not want Good’s death politicized.
Student Protests and Campus Disruptions
Hundreds of students in St. Paul walked out of school, marching to the state Capitol with signs reading “Love Melts ICE” and “DE-ICE MN.”
Meanwhile, University of Minnesota warned students that some classes may move online due to safety concerns. University President Rebecca Cunningham said unrest has reached the campus, which borders Minneapolis’ main Somali neighborhood.
The latest shooting involving a federal officer in Minneapolis underscores how deeply volatile the situation has become amid intensified immigration enforcement.
With protests escalating, legal battles unfolding, and federal authorities expanding their presence, Minnesota now finds itself at the center of a national debate over law enforcement, civil liberties, and federal authority.
As courts weigh in and investigations continue, the coming days are likely to shape how this crisis unfolds—and whether tensions can be eased without further violence.