MINNEAPOLIS, Jan 14 – Minneapolis witnessed another flashpoint of violence Wednesday night when a federal officer shot a man during an enforcement operation, deepening public anger and fear already simmering after last week’s fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration agent. The latest incident unfolded amid heightened protests, political warnings, and mounting legal challenges to the expanding federal presence in Minnesota, with city and state leaders openly questioning whether the situation can continue without further harm.
The shooting has intensified an already volatile atmosphere in Minneapolis, where residents, activists, and officials are struggling to balance public safety, civil rights, and the role of federal law enforcement in local communities. As new details emerge, the city finds itself once again at the center of a national debate over immigration enforcement, use of force, and accountability.
A City on Edge
According to federal authorities, the shooting occurred around 6:50 p.m. local time in the 600 block of 24th Avenue North during what was described as a targeted traffic stop. The individual who was shot, identified by officials as a Venezuelan national without legal documentation, was struck in the leg and later taken to the hospital with injuries that were described as non life threatening by local police leadership.
Federal officials stated that the man attempted to evade arrest by driving away from the stop, crashing into a parked vehicle, and then fleeing on foot. They allege that when officers caught up with him, he resisted arrest and physically assaulted an officer. The situation escalated further when two additional individuals reportedly emerged from a nearby apartment and struck the officer with household items, including a snow shovel and a broom handle. Authorities claim the officer fired his weapon out of fear for his life as he was being attacked by multiple people.
Local officials confirmed that both the officer and the person who was shot were hospitalized. Two individuals connected to the alleged assault on the officer were taken into custody. Despite these details, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stressed that many questions remain unanswered.
At a late night press conference, Frey warned that the ongoing conditions in the city are untenable. He criticized the widespread presence of federal immigration and border enforcement agents, saying their operations are contributing to disorder rather than stability. Alongside Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the mayor urged residents to remain calm and to avoid direct confrontations with federal officers, emphasizing that escalating violence would only worsen the situation.
Emotions were further inflamed by a video circulating on social media, shared by a state lawmaker, showing a distraught family calling emergency services in Spanish. In the recording, a woman claimed that officers had chased her husband for an extended period and that shots were fired after the family retreated inside their home. While authorities have not confirmed all aspects of that account, the footage has fueled widespread concern and distrust among community members.
Public frustration has been building since last week’s fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, which sparked protests across Minneapolis and beyond. Video evidence from that earlier incident has raised doubts about official claims of self defense, as footage appears to show Good attempting to drive away when she was shot. Legal analysts familiar with federal enforcement guidelines have noted that use of force policies generally require restraint, particularly when a suspect is fleeing and does not pose an immediate threat.
Protests and Public Anger
The aftermath of both shootings has led to sustained demonstrations in Minneapolis. While many protests have remained peaceful, clashes have occurred between demonstrators and law enforcement. Authorities reported that a gathering at the site of Wednesday’s shooting was declared unlawful after some individuals threw fireworks and objects at officers. Federal agents have also used crowd control measures such as tear gas, pepper spray, and other so called less lethal munitions to disperse crowds, according to reports from national media outlets.
State and city leaders have taken increasingly strong positions against the federal government’s actions. In an official statement, Minneapolis officials renewed their demand that federal immigration agents leave the city, pledging continued support for immigrant and refugee communities. Minnesota’s state government has gone a step further, filing a lawsuit against senior federal officials in an effort to halt the surge of immigration enforcement operations. The suit also seeks to restrict federal agents from threatening force or displaying weapons in situations unrelated to immigration arrests. A federal judge has delayed an immediate ruling, instead requiring additional information from both sides.
Illinois has launched a similar legal challenge, accusing federal agents of operating more like an occupying force than traditional law enforcement. The lawsuit alleges widespread misconduct, including aggressive stops and arrests carried out by heavily armed personnel in civilian neighborhoods.
The political response has been equally charged. President Donald Trump defended federal agents earlier this week, describing one officer involved in last week’s fatal shooting as having faced a difficult situation and criticizing what he characterized as a lack of respect for law enforcement. At the same time, an investigation into Good’s death is reportedly examining potential links between her and activist groups, a move that has drawn sharp criticism. Several federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned after expressing concerns that they were being pressured to pursue those lines of inquiry.
Governor Tim Walz has repeatedly urged calm while condemning what he describes as abusive federal tactics. In public statements and video addresses, he has encouraged Minnesotans to document enforcement activities peacefully and lawfully, framing such efforts as a way to preserve evidence for potential future legal action. Walz has also warned protesters not to give in to provocation, arguing that violence would only serve political goals he opposes.
National reaction has extended beyond Minnesota. Commentators across the political spectrum have voiced alarm over the optics and consequences of aggressive immigration enforcement. Some legal experts have warned that if federal agents continue to use deadly force in situations that appear unjustified, the administration could face serious political and operational fallout that reshapes the broader immigration debate.