Minneapolis Mayor Comments on Recent ICE Incident
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey accused ICE agents of “stoking chaos” following an incident where an undocumented immigrant wielding a shovel attacked a police officer and was subsequently shot dead on Wednesday.
He attributed the unrest in the area to the presence of approximately 3,000 federal agents deployed throughout Minneapolis, which he argues has contributed to last week’s turmoil, including the shooting death of 37-year-old anti-ICE activist Renee Nicole Good.
Frey emphasized, “Our city’s 600 police officers are focused on investigating crimes, preventing murders, and reducing car burglaries.” He made these remarks during a press conference in the aftermath of the shooting.
He criticized the deployment of ICE agents statewide, stating, “They’re creating chaos alongside border security.” Frey added, “This isn’t the direction we need to head in America right now.”
The Department of Homeland Security reported that the unidentified Venezuelan national had fled a traffic stop in a vehicle that later crashed into a parked car around 7 p.m. Upon exiting the vehicle, he resisted arrest and assaulting officers while they engaged him on the ground.
During this struggle, two individuals from a nearby apartment intervened, attacking the officers with brooms and shovels, according to police reports.
According to DHS, the immigrant eventually broke free, struck an agent with a broom or shovel, prompting federal agents to fire “defensive shots” that hit him in the leg.
Both the agent and the Venezuelan were hospitalized due to their injuries, while two individuals involved in the attack were taken into custody.
The agency confirmed that the suspect had entered the United States in 2022 under the Biden administration.
Following the shooting, protests erupted near the incident site, with demonstrators hurling rocks and igniting fireworks towards law enforcement. Frey urged protesters not to contribute to the chaos, stating, “It’s not helpful. Go home. We can’t combat Donald Trump’s chaos with our own.”
He acknowledged those who have peacefully protested over the last week but appealed for an end to destructive behavior, noting, “You’re not helping those who support you or the undocumented immigrants in the city.”
Frey and Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara provided a brief update after the incident, describing the deceased as an “adult male” engaged in a confrontation with federal agents.
Frey stated that daily life in the city has been impacted, with businesses closing due to fear among owners of potential family separations caused by ICE agents’ presence. “It’s a difficult scenario when schools shut down, and parents have to scramble for childcare,” he remarked.
He also cited an alarming trend, mentioning that ICE has been linked to several recent mass shootings in Minneapolis this year. There were three confirmed shootings within a week, one of which was fatal.
The fatal incident occurred on January 8, when officers discovered a man with a gunshot wound in the Willard Hay neighborhood, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
This year, Lake City has faced two shootings involving ICE agents, including the recent incident and the one resulting in Good’s death. Good was killed while trying to block an ICE vehicle from passing through a residential area. Footage captured during the confrontation shows her partner urging her to drive away, ultimately leading to a tragic outcome.
Frey characterized the city’s situation as an “impossible” dilemma brought on by the Trump administration’s “invasion.” He stated, “We’re trying to find a way to ensure safety, protect our neighbors, and maintain order.”
