A second federal officer shooting in Minneapolis has sparked protests and calls for calm, as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported. The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when a federal law enforcement officer responded to a traffic stop, during which the driver fled and, along with two accomplices, attacked the officer.
According to the DHS, the officer, fearing for his life, fired defensive shots, hitting the initial subject in the leg. Both the officer and the injured individual were taken to the hospital. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara confirmed the individual as an adult male with non-life-threatening injuries.
The DHS statement revealed that the individual being stopped was an illegal alien from Venezuela, who then drove away, crashed into a parked vehicle, and fled on foot. When the pursuing officer caught up, the individual resisted and assaulted the officer. During the struggle, two additional individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and attacked the officer with a snow shovel and broom handle. The original subject then joined in, striking the officer with a shovel or broomstick.
After the officer fired, the three individuals barricaded themselves inside the apartment. The statement did not clarify the timing or circumstances of any arrest, but DHS claimed both the two individuals who attacked the officer were taken into custody. A crowd gathered at the scene, and O'Hara described it as an 'unlawful assembly', accusing some of throwing fireworks and rocks at officers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed concern, stating the situation was 'not sustainable' and urged peaceful protests. He criticized ICE and Border Patrol officers for creating chaos and inciting unacceptable behavior. ICE officials, however, disputed these claims, emphasizing their focus on those who've broken the law.
The situation escalated with Customs and Border Protection describing Frey's leadership as 'weak' and accusing his administration of encouraging lawlessness. Gregory K. Bovino, a senior Border Patrol official, threatened to arrest those who attack federal officers. Frey advised protesters to avoid confrontations with federal officers, emphasizing the need to avoid 'countering chaos with chaos'.
The controversy deepened with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche accusing both Frey and Walz of inciting unrest, labeling it as 'disgusting'. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in a rare primetime address, called for an end to the 'occupation' in Minnesota, criticizing President Trump for seeking chaos and violence.
