On Wednesday evening in Minneapolis, a routine traffic stop escalated into a violent confrontation, leading to an ICE officer shooting a man in the leg. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the incident unfolded during an operation targeting individuals in the country without legal permission.

Sources close to NewsNation reveal that the injured individual was the primary target of the ICE operation, identified as an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela. The shooting occurred on 27th Avenue North, following an altercation that involved two others who allegedly attacked the ICE officer.

The Department of Homeland Security released a statement detailing the sequence of events, noting that the incident began around 6:50 p.m. The Venezuelan man, attempting to avoid arrest, crashed his car into a parked vehicle and fled on foot. During the pursuit, he reportedly assaulted the ICE officer, an act that was compounded when two others joined the fray, wielding a snow shovel and a broom handle.

This incident highlights the complexities and potential dangers ICE officers face during their operations, especially when those targeted for arrest resist detainment. The broader implications of such confrontations often ripple through communities, affecting the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and policy. Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the incident to ensure accountability and transparency in its handling.

“As the officer was being ambushed and attacked by the two individuals, the original subject got loose and began striking the officer with a shovel or broom stick,” DHS said.

“Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive shots to defend his life. The initial subject was hit in the leg. All three subjects ran back into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside. The attacked officer and subject are both in the hospital. Both attackers are in custody.”

The City of Minneapolis wrote on X Wednesday night, “We are aware of reports of a shooting involving federal law enforcement in North Minneapolis. We are working to confirm additional details.”

Several flash bangs were deployed in an attempt to get the crowd to move back from the shooting scene.

“At 6:50 PM CT, federal law enforcement officers were conducting a targeted traffic stop in Minneapolis of an illegal alien from Venezuela who was released into the country by Joe Biden in 2022.

In an attempt to evade arrest, the subject fled the scene in his vehicle and crashed into a parked car. The subject then fled on foot.

The law enforcement officer caught up to the subject on foot and attempted to apprehend him when the subject began to resist and violently assault the officer. While the subject and law enforcement were in a struggle on the ground, two subjects came out of a nearby apartment and also attacked the law enforcement officer with a snow shovel and broom handle.

As the officer was being ambushed and attacked by the two individuals, the original subject got loose and began striking the officer with a shovel or broom stick.

Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive shots to defend his life. The initial subject was hit in the leg.

All three subjects ran back into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside.

The attacked officer and subject are both in the hospital. Both attackers are in custody.

This attack on another brave member of law enforcement took place while Minnesota’s top leaders, Governor Walz and Mayor Frey, are actively encouraging an organized resistance to ICE and federal law enforcement officers.

Their hateful rhetoric and resistance against men and women who are simply trying to do their jobs must end. Federal law enforcement officers are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them as they put their lives on the line to arrest criminals and lawbreakers.”

Full DHS statement on ICE shooting in Minneapolis.

The incident comes a week after the fatal shooting of Renee Macklin Good, a 37-year-old mother who was protesting against ICE in Minneapolis.

On Wednesday, a Homeland Security official confirmed to NewsNation that the officer, Jonathan Ross, suffered internal bleeding after that incident.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said Ross was hit by Good’s vehicle Jan. 7, backing up the administration’s claims he shot the 37-year-old motorist in “self-defense.”

“He went to the hospital. A doctor did treat him. He has been released, but he’s going to spend some time with his family,” Noem said last week.

Local and state leaders in Minnesota have repeatedly criticized the Trump administration and ICE for its presence in Minneapolis.