The victim was a 37-year-old US citizen. City officials said the victim was a legal observer of federal activity in the city and was not the target of an arrest related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Witnesses said whistles were sounded around 9:30 a.m., alerting neighbors to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. Witnesses say they saw a Honda Pilot being blocked by several federal agents, and one of the agents tried to open the driver's door, but the woman behind the wheel put the vehicle in reverse and then forward. According to witnesses, they then heard three shots. The car drove a few more meters before crashing into another car.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem described the driver's actions as an “act of domestic terrorism.” Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said the victim allegedly tried to run over law enforcement officers. However, videos of the fatal incident published on social networks confirm the testimony of witnesses, the channel notes.
Mayor Jacob Frey said he also saw video of the incident and called the federal agency's version of events “complete nonsense.” He called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to “get the hell out” of the city. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz added: “Don't believe this propaganda machine.”
Spontaneous protests began at the scene.
The shooting occurred just a few blocks from the place where a police officer killed African-American George Floyd in 2020, which sparked weeks of protests across the United States and around the world, the channel notes.
