Federal Shooting During Migrant Arrest Ignites Riots, Leaves Minneapolis Man Dead

Before sunrise Saturday, a routine law enforcement operation in south Minneapolis spiraled into a deadly confrontation and hours of unrest, leaving one man dead and a city on edge.

According to the New York Post, federal agents were in the area of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue carrying out what the Department of Homeland Security described as a “targeted operation” aimed at arresting an illegal immigrant wanted for violent assault.

During that effort, officials said, an unexpected and dangerous encounter unfolded.

According to DHS, “an individual approached 🇺🇸US Border Patrol officers with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun.” Agents tried to disarm the man, but the situation quickly escalated.

“The officers attempted to disarm the suspect but the armed suspect violently resisted,” the statement said. “Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots.”

The man was struck and treated by medics at the scene but was pronounced dead, DHS said. Authorities reported that he was carrying two magazine clips and had no identification on him at the time.

“This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement,” federal officials said.

Video circulating on social media captured chaotic moments of the encounter. In the 39-second clip, several officers are seen grappling with someone on the sidewalk outside a donut shop when gunfire suddenly erupts. Officers then scatter as shots ring out.

A law enforcement source said the man had brandished a firearm with two magazines. A photo of the weapon was later shared with media outlets.