A chilling scene unfolded Wednesday in Minneapolis when a woman was shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a protest.
Witnesses described a chaotic moment in which the woman, 37, was gunned down in her car, leaving her spouse screaming in anguish and bystanders in shock.
Loved One’s Desperate Plea
Video circulating online captured a heart-wrenching interaction immediately after the shooting.
A woman claiming to be the victim’s wife sobbed uncontrollably, explaining she had a six-year-old child at school and no support system in the city.
“That’s my wife, I don’t know what to do,” she cried, while the person filming asked if she had relatives or friends who could help.
Her answer was raw and fearful: “I can’t even deal with that now… we’re new here, we don’t have anyone.”
At one point, she screamed, “We need a doctor,” as she watched her spouse lie fatally wounded.
Inside the SUV, photos and witness accounts showed children’s toys, including a stuffed animal and a hand-drawn picture, highlighting the human side of the tragedy.
Conflicting Accounts of the Shooting
ICE claimed the woman attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon, driving toward agents, which prompted the fatal shots.
Witnesses and city officials strongly dispute this version.
Footage shows her car initially blocking the road before she reversed to leave, as an ICE agent reached for the driver-side door.
Three shots rang out, sending the SUV careening into parked cars and a light pole, horrifying onlookers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey labeled ICE’s account as “bulls**t” during a press conference, accusing federal authorities of escalating fear rather than providing safety.
“We do not want you here… Your stated reason for being in this city is safety, and you are doing exactly the opposite,” he said.
Officials Respond and Investigations Underway
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed the woman, a U.S. citizen, was pronounced dead at a hospital where her spouse had arrived.
O’Hara also noted there was no indication the victim was being investigated by law enforcement prior to the incident.
Senator Tina Smith confirmed the victim’s citizenship, while Governor Tim Walz called on Minnesotans to stay calm and rejected the Department of Homeland Security’s narrative, calling it “propaganda.”
The FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Rising Tensions on the Streets
The aftermath has left Minneapolis tense.
Hundreds of ICE agents are stationed near 33rd and Portland Avenue, while protests continue to swell.
Demonstrators have thrown snowballs at federal officers, and videos show agents responding with tear gas and pepper spray.
Residents and officials alike are warning that the city is facing a volatile moment, with families feeling terrorized and a community grappling with grief.
What Comes Next
Investigations are ongoing, but the emotional and political ripple effects are immediate.
City leaders are demanding accountability, residents are protesting in the streets, and questions about ICE’s presence and conduct in Minneapolis remain front and center.
The tragedy has reignited debates over law enforcement practices and the safety of long-term residents, leaving the city grappling with both sorrow and outrage.
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