A man was fatally shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent during a law enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, an incident that was captured on video and quickly escalated into protests, clashes with authorities, and sharp political criticism from state leaders.
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 a.m. near the intersection of 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, close to the popular Glam Doll Donuts location. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the incident unfolded during what officials described as a struggle involving multiple federal agents and the man, whose identity has not yet been released.
DHS confirmed that the individual was armed at the time of the encounter. Federal authorities said they recovered a firearm along with two magazines from the scene. A photograph shared by DHS showed the weapon resting on the passenger seat of a vehicle, though officials have not disclosed whether the firearm was used or brandished during the confrontation.
Video circulating online shows several agents attempting to restrain the man on the ground. Moments later, one agent discharged his weapon, striking the individual. The man was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not yet explained what led to the initial encounter or why federal agents were operating in that area at the time.
The shooting marks the third incident in recent weeks involving federal law enforcement using deadly or near-deadly force in Minneapolis. Earlier this month, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a woman on January 7. Roughly a week later, another federal agent wounded a man during a separate incident. The string of encounters has intensified scrutiny of federal operations in the city.
In a brief statement, DHS acknowledged the shooting and said it is working to gather additional details. “We are working to confirm additional information,” the department said, urging the public to remain calm and avoid the immediate area as the investigation continues.
Minneapolis city officials also addressed the situation on social media, confirming they were aware of reports involving federal law enforcement and stating that local authorities were coordinating with state and federal partners to manage the scene.
As news of the shooting spread, dozens of protesters converged on the area, with some estimates placing the crowd at more than 100 people. Demonstrators blocked nearby streets using dumpsters and restaurant furniture, shouting at federal agents and chanting behind makeshift barriers. Police tape was stretched across the area as authorities attempted to secure the scene.
The Minneapolis Police Department responded alongside federal agents, though tensions reportedly emerged between agencies. According to local reporting, ICE agents attempted to direct local officers to leave the area, a request that Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara refused. Minnesota State Patrol troopers were later deployed to help separate protesters from law enforcement personnel and prevent further escalation.
At least one flash-bang device was deployed as federal agents pushed back demonstrators using tear gas, according to the Star Tribune. Witnesses described protesters retreating when gas was released, then regrouping and returning to chant and bang on objects behind barriers. Several witnesses were transported to the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building for questioning as part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident quickly drew reactions from high-profile Minnesota officials, including Governor Tim Walz, who issued a forceful statement condemning federal law enforcement activity in the state.
“I just spoke with the White House after another horrific shooting by federal agents this morning,” Walz wrote on X. “Minnesota has had it. This is sickening.”
Walz directly called on President Donald Trump to halt federal operations in the state, accusing the administration of deploying what he described as dangerous and unprepared personnel.
“The President must end this operation,” Walz added. “Pull the thousands of violent, untrained officers out of Minnesota. Now.”
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar also weighed in, saying she was seeking more information about the shooting while sharply criticizing the federal response.
“There has been another shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis and I am working to get more information,” Klobuchar wrote. In a follow-up message, she added: “To the Trump administration and the Republicans in Congress who have stood silent: Get ICE out of our state NOW.”
Federal officials have not responded directly to the governor’s or senator’s comments, nor have they explained the broader scope of the operation underway at the time of the shooting. It remains unclear whether the agents involved were conducting an immigration-related enforcement action, a criminal investigation, or another type of federal operation.
As of Saturday evening, no details had been released regarding the identity of the man who was killed, his age, or whether he had any prior interaction with law enforcement. Authorities have also not said whether body-worn cameras were in use or if additional footage will be released.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Minneapolis Police Department both confirmed they are reviewing the incident. The Daily Mail and other outlets have reached out to both agencies for further comment.
The investigation is expected to include an internal federal review as well as coordination with local and state authorities. For now, the area around the shooting remains a focal point for community anger and concern, as questions continue to mount over the role of federal law enforcement in Minneapolis and the circumstances that led to the deadly encounter.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
