ICE officer shoots man in leg in north Minneapolis after shovel attack, officials say

A shooting occurred Wednesday evening in north Minneapolis after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were attacked by men armed with shovels during an arrest operation in the middle Operation Metro Surgethree U.S. officials told CBS News.

One of the men, a Venezuelan migrant, was shot in the leg but is expected to be OK, two of the officials told CBS News.

A large crowd formed at the scene, with demonstrators clashing with police on Wednesday evening. This shooting occurs exactly a week later ICE officer Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Good. in south Minneapolis.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara will hold a news conference at 10:15 p.m. Wednesday to discuss the shooting and “urge the public to remain calm,” according to city officials.

According to law enforcement officials briefed on the incident, the shooting occurred around 7 p.m. during a targeted ICE enforcement and removal operation near North Sixth Street and North 24th Avenue.

Officials say a man armed with a shovel — described as an “illegal alien” from Venezuela and the main target of the operation — assaulted an ICE agent, hitting him with the shovel and attempting to hit his head. An ICE ERO agent then opened fire, hitting the man in the leg.

After being shot, the man fled into a residence. Law enforcement officials said they later determined the house contained three additional targets. The four individuals barricaded themselves inside the house.

Due to the barricade situation, additional officers were called to the scene, officials said. Agents entered the home with the assistance of a specialized ICE tactical team. Authorities believe everyone in the home was taken into custody.

The ICE officer who was struck and the man who was shot were taken to the hospital. The condition of the officer and the nature of his injuries have not yet been confirmed.

Homeland Security officials said in a statement that the Venezuelan national initially fled from law enforcement in a vehicle, but quickly crashed into a parked car before fleeing on foot.

DHS released a statement Wednesday evening saying the officer was assaulted by the man while resisting arrest, and while they were struggling on the ground, “two individuals came out of a nearby apartment and also attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle.”

“Fearing for his life and safety while being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive shots in defense of his life,” DHS officials said.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche released a statement Wednesday evening accusing Gov. Tim Walz and Frey of stoking the violence.

“The Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement. It’s disgusting,” Blanche said. “Walz and Frey – I am working to stop YOU from your terrorism by any means necessary. This is not a threat. It is a promise.

Less than an hour before the shoot, Walz gave a rare prime-time speech where he called on President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to “end the occupation” of the state. The governor also called on Minnesotans to film the actions of federal agents for use in future prosecutions.

This is a developing story and will be updated.