Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Wednesday lashed out at federal immigration authorities following the fatal shooting of a woman during an ICE operation, telling the agency to leave the city immediately.
According to Fox News, the mayor’s comments came after the Department of Homeland Security said officers were conducting a targeted enforcement action when protesters began blocking ICE vehicles.
DHS alleged that one driver attempted to use her SUV to strike officers, describing the act as “domestic terrorism.”
At a tense news conference, Frey rejected that explanation, saying the federal account was misleading.
“Get out of Minneapolis,” the mayor said. “We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some kind of safety, and you are doing exactly the opposite. People are being hurt, families are being ripped apart.”
Frey directly challenged DHS’s claim that the shooting was an act of self-defense, labeling it “garbage.”
Eyewitness video circulating on social media shows officers confronting a vehicle as it moved toward law enforcement, followed by gunfire and chaos. The woman, who was inside the SUV, was killed, sparking immediate outrage among community members.
Hundreds of protesters gathered near the intersection of East 34th Street and Portland Avenue following the incident, some chanting against federal law enforcement and ICE’s presence in the city.
DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the officer’s actions, stating that personnel “faced a clear threat to their lives” and acted in accordance with their training. She labeled the driver’s actions a “weaponization of a vehicle” and insisted the officer’s response saved lives.
The fatal shooting has ignited a heated debate over federal enforcement in Minneapolis, with city leaders demanding accountability and federal authorities maintaining their stance that officers acted appropriately.
The city is bracing for further protests as officials and law enforcement continue to investigate the circumstances of the shooting.
This story is developing. Updates are expected as more information becomes available.
