A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer is in critical condition following an attack by three individuals during a traffic stop in Minneapolis. According to officials, the officer was ambushed with a shovel and broom handle by the suspects, who are undocumented immigrants. The situation quickly escalated into a chase on foot, culminating in a violent altercation and gunfire.

Federal officials reported that the incident began on Wednesday evening when ICE agents attempted to conduct a targeted traffic stop. The operation aimed to apprehend a Venezuelan national, previously released into the United States during the tenure of former President Joe Biden.

Following the attempted evasion, one of the assailants was shot, and all three individuals were taken into custody. On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the detainees as Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna, and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma, all of whom are Venezuelan nationals now held by ICE.

On Thursday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the illegal immigrants as Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, Alfredo Alejandro Ajorna and Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez-Ledezma, all Venezuelan nationals now in ICE custody.

ICE arrested three men who were allegedly involved in hitting an agent with a shovel during an enforcement operation. (DHS and Jeff Wheeler/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

DHS said federal officers were attempting to arrest Sosa-Celis in Minneapolis when he fled the scene in his vehicle, crashed into a parked car and ran on foot.

The pursuing officer caught up with Sosa-Celis and tried to take him into custody, at which point he began to resist and violently assault the officer.

As the two struggled on the ground, two individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and began striking the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle, DHS said. Sosa-Celis broke free and allegedly struck the officer as well before the agent, fearing for his life, fired a defensive shot that struck Sosa-Celis in the leg.

Federal agents deal with agitators outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, Jan. 14, in Minneapolis, Minn. (Jamie Vera/Fox News)

Despite being wounded, Sosa-Celis and the other two men retreated into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside.

ICE ultimately arrested all three suspects and took them into custody. The officer and Sosa-Celis were both hospitalized following the confrontation.

“What we saw last night in Minneapolis was an attempted murder of federal law enforcement,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said. “Our officer was ambushed and attacked by three individuals who beat him with snow shovels and the handles of brooms. Fearing for his life, the officer fired a defensive shot.”

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem blasted local leadership, saying Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz must “get their city under control.” (Michael Gonzalez/Getty Images)

Noem blasted local leadership, saying Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz must “get their city under control” and accusing them of encouraging resistance against law enforcement, which she said is “putting the people of Minnesota in harm’s way.”

DHS said Sosa-Celis is a criminal illegal alien from Venezuela with prior convictions who was released by Minnesota authorities before ICE could lodge a detainer.

Ajorna and Hernandez-Ledezma also entered the U.S. illegally and, according to DHS, failed to comply with immigration proceedings.

All three remain in ICE custody as authorities review the case.