Daijiworld Media Network - Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Jan 15: Tensions escalated on the streets of Minneapolis after a federal law enforcement officer shot a man in the leg while attempting to make an arrest, triggering clashes between officers and protesters amid an ongoing immigration crackdown.
According to officials, the incident occurred on Wednesday when federal officers tried to detain a Venezuelan national who was allegedly in the US illegally. The individual reportedly fled in a vehicle, crashed into a parked car and attempted to escape on foot. During the arrest attempt, two more persons emerged from a nearby apartment, and all three allegedly attacked the officer using a shovel and a broom handle.
Fearing for his life, the officer fired a defensive shot, injuring one of the attackers in the leg, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said. The injured man was hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries, while the other two suspects were taken into custody.
Following the shooting, smoke engulfed the area as federal officers in riot gear used tear gas and grenades to disperse protesters who hurled snowballs and shouted slogans demanding officers leave the neighbourhood. Emergency officials urged residents to remain calm amid the unrest.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis since January 7, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot Renee Good during an enforcement operation. That killing has sparked widespread outrage, protests and legal challenges, with local leaders accusing federal agencies of violating constitutional rights.
Earlier on Wednesday, a federal judge heard arguments in a lawsuit filed by the state of Minnesota and the cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, seeking to halt the immigration enforcement surge. The court has asked the US Justice Department to respond to a request for a restraining order.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the situation as “chaotic” and accused the federal government of carrying out a campaign of brutality rather than lawful immigration enforcement, adding that accountability would be pursued through the courts.
Meanwhile, DHS said more than 2,000 arrests have been made in Minnesota since early December and indicated that the crackdown would continue. Reports also suggest the Pentagon may deploy military lawyers to assist federal prosecutors in Minneapolis, a move that has raised concerns within legal and military circles.
Protests against ICE operations continued across the city, including student-led demonstrations, as authorities warned of possible disruptions to public services and educational institutions in the coming days.