Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Wednesday that the state’s National Guard stands ready for deployment following the tragic shooting of a woman during a federal immigration operation. He emphasized, “We have never been in conflict with our federal government.”

In a press briefing, Walz revealed that a warning order had been issued to the National Guard. This preliminary action aims to boost readiness in case the troops are needed due to the escalating tensions after the incident on Wednesday.

“We are preparing the National Guard,” Walz stated. “They are ready to be deployed if necessary.”

Law enforcement officials are investigating an alleged shooting by an ICE agent during a federal operation in Minneapolis on Wednesday. Governor Walz has taken precautionary measures by issuing a warning order to the state’s National Guard. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty)

The atmosphere in Minneapolis has grown tense following the shooting of a 37-year-old woman, who was in her vehicle at the time of the incident.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were conducting an enforcement action when their vehicle got stuck in the snow.

As they were attempting to push the vehicle, she said, a woman “attacked them and those surrounding them” and “attempted to run them over and ram them with her vehicle.”

President Donald Trump and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images and Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)

A federal law enforcement officer fired and shot the woman, who crashed into a nearby parked vehicle. 

She was pronounced dead at the site of the crash. DHS told Fox News the ICE agent who fired shots in Minneapolis Wednesday had previously been injured in a prior altercation.

DHS officials said that while working in the city last June, the agent had been dragged by a car in a separate incident.

Walz noted that National Guard members were residents of the state and not being bussed in from elsewhere.

“Minnesota will not allow our community to be used as a prop in a national political fight,” he said. “We will not take the bait.”