Minnesota Governor Mobilizes National Guard After Fatal ICE Operation Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Wednesday that the state’s National Guard is on heightened alert and prepared to deploy if necessary after a woman was fatally shot during a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis. The incident has intensified tensions in the city, prompting Walz to issue a warning order as a precautionary measure.
During a press conference, Walz emphasized that the National Guard troops are Minnesota residents and not brought in from outside the state. “We are preparing the National Guard,” he said. “They are prepared to be deployed if necessary.” He also urged calm, stating, “Minnesota will not allow our community to be used as a prop in a national political fight. We will not take the bait.”
The shooting occurred when ICE agents were conducting an enforcement action in Minneapolis and became stuck in snow. According to statements from the Department of Homeland Security, as agents attempted to push their vehicle free, a 37-year-old woman in a separate vehicle allegedly attacked them by attempting to ram and run over the officers. In response, a federal law enforcement officer fired shots, striking the woman. She subsequently crashed into a parked car and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemned the woman’s actions, describing the attack on ICE agents as an “act of domestic terrorism.” DHS officials further revealed that the ICE agent who fired the fatal shots had previously been injured in a separate incident last June in Minneapolis, where the agent was dragged by a car during a prior altercation.
The incident has sparked unrest in Minneapolis, with protests erupting and some demonstrators blocking roads. The situation has drawn national attention amid ongoing debates over immigration enforcement policies. Minnesota lawmakers and officials have voiced varied responses, with some criticizing the federal operation and others defending the agents’ actions.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has not released the identity of the woman or further details about the operation, citing the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, Governor Walz’s decision to ready the National Guard reflects concerns about potential escalation and the need to maintain public safety.
As the investigation continues, federal and state authorities are working to address the community’s concerns and ensure order. The National Guard’s readiness underscores the seriousness with which Minnesota officials are approaching the aftermath of the shooting.
For more information on the National Guard’s role and deployment protocols, visit the National Guard Bureau. Updates on the federal immigration enforcement policies can be found through the Department of Homeland Security’s immigration enforcement page.
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