Minneapolis erupts in chaos as ICE agents shoot their second victim in one week, sparking violent clashes while Democrat officials desperately try to halt Trump’s immigration enforcement surge through federal lawsuits.
Second ICE Shooting Triggers Violent Protests
Wednesday’s shooting of an alleged undocumented immigrant during an arrest attempt marked the second ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis within one week. The Department of Homeland Security claims the agent acted in self-defense after the suspect resisted arrest and assaulted the officer. The suspect remains stable in custody, while the ICE agent was hospitalized following the incident. Violent clashes erupted immediately between approximately 100 protesters and federal officers, continuing through Thursday morning with tear gas, pepper balls, and flash bangs deployed against demonstrators throwing fireworks and objects.
Breaking: Protesters gather around the scene and causing chaos from a second ICE involved shooting in Minneapolis where an agent was attacked and assaulted by a Venezuelan teen with a shovel.
Suspect shot in leg, and was
smiling on the medical stretcher! pic.twitter.com/N17NNpvNml— Sportsman Nate (@foursticks_nate) January 15, 2026
Operation Metro Surge Brings Massive Federal Presence
Trump’s Operation Metro Surge began in December 2025, deploying thousands of armed, masked DHS agents to the Twin Cities region. The operation initially focused on investigating fraud at Somali-run daycare centers but expanded into broader immigration enforcement raids.
Secretary Kristi Noem promises additional agents despite mounting local opposition, defending the operation as necessary for the administration’s “largest deportation operation in American history.” The surge represents a clear targeting of Democrat strongholds like Minneapolis, where federal agents conduct warrantless arrests and operations near sensitive locations, including schools.
Former ICE agents question the operational tactics being employed, particularly after Agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good earlier this month. Ross fired through Good’s windshield during a vehicle confrontation, with former agents citing “red flags” about his assignment following a prior injury. The back-to-back shootings highlight concerns about agent training and deployment decisions that put both officers and civilians at unnecessary risk during what should be routine enforcement operations.
Democrat Officials Launch Constitutional Challenge
Mayor Jacob Frey leads a coalition demanding ICE’s immediate withdrawal from Minneapolis, calling federal operations “disgusting and intolerable.” Frey blames federal agents for the majority of shootings in the city during 2026, arguing their presence creates more chaos than safety. Governor Tim Walz urges protesters to remain peaceful while accusing President Trump of deliberately provoking violence. Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a federal lawsuit against DHS, ICE, and CBP, alleging violations of First and Tenth Amendment rights, equal-sovereignty principles, and requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act.
The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt Operation Metro Surge and end what officials characterize as unconstitutional federal overreach. Minneapolis police have logged over 3,000 overtime hours since January 7th, responding to federal operation-related incidents, costing taxpayers more than $2 million between January 8-11 alone. Local officials argue federal agents are commandeering city resources while conducting operations that violate constitutional protections and terrorize immigrant communities through racial profiling and excessive force.
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ICE Agents Fatally Shot a U.S. Citizen. Former Colleagues Are Raising Questions
Protesters clash with federal officers after another ICE shooting in Minneapolis