Federal Officer Defends Against Assault: Suspect Shot in Leg During Minneapolis Arrest

MINNEAPOLIS — An incident involving a federal officer and a suspect turned violent in Minneapolis on Wednesday evening, resulting in the officer shooting the suspect in the leg, according to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The situation unfolded around 6:50 p.m. local time during what DHS described as a “targeted traffic stop.” The individual involved, a Venezuelan national, reportedly entered the United States illegally in 2022.

According to DHS, the suspect attempted to evade law enforcement by fleeing in his vehicle, eventually crashing into a parked car. He then abandoned the vehicle and continued to flee on foot.

The federal officer managed to catch up with the suspect, at which point the suspect allegedly resisted arrest and assaulted the officer, DHS stated.

As the confrontation escalated, two individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and joined the fray, allegedly attacking the officer with a snow shovel and broom handle, the statement added.

DHS said all three people then began striking the officer.

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

After the officer fired, the three people ran back into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside, DHS claimed in the statement.

It’s unclear from the statement when and how an arrest was made, but DHS said both of the two people it alleges attacked the officer were taken into custody.

Both the officer and the person who was shot were taken to the hospital, DHS said.

City officials said earlier they were aware of reports of a shooting involving federal law enforcement.

Tensions continue in Minneapolis in response to the killing of Renee Good, the 37-year-old mother, at the hands of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

Protesters continue to hit the streets and demand justice as ICE continues its operations.

ABC News contributed to this report.