In a tense incident in Minneapolis on Wednesday, an officer from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) shot and killed a woman who allegedly attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon against federal officers. The confrontation occurred during a planned enforcement operation, according to official reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The DHS issued a statement describing the chaotic scene, noting that a group of protesters began to obstruct ICE officers. Amid the disorder, one individual reportedly tried to “weaponize her vehicle,” posing a severe threat to the officers’ safety. This act was characterized by the DHS as “domestic terrorism.”

Faced with an immediate danger, an ICE officer acted in self-defense. The agency explained, “An ICE officer, fearing for his life and the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the public, fired defensive shots. His actions, guided by his training, saved his life and those of his colleagues.”

Tragically, the woman was struck by gunfire and did not survive. The DHS confirmed her death and expressed relief that the ICE officers involved in the incident are expected to recover fully from any injuries sustained during the confrontation.

In the aftermath, members of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement remained on site to manage the situation following the shooting. The incident has drawn significant attention, with images from the scene captured in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, by Reuters photographer Tim Evans.

Video of the scene showed ICE officers deploying tear gas at the crowd and pushing protesters into the snow as some stood with their arms locked together, attempting to block a truck from moving forward.

“Move!” a law enforcement officer is heard repeatedly saying.

A person in the crowd then yells, “We don’t want you here.”

Minneapolis’ official X account posted earlier that it was aware of a shooting involving federal law enforcement near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue and warned the public to “avoid this area.”

A man receives medical treatment after being exposed to a chemical irritant during federal law enforcement operations on Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty)

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News the incident was a “direct consequence of constant attacks and demonization of our officers by sanctuary politicians who fuel and encourage rampant assaults on our law enforcement who are facing 1,300% increase in assaults against them and an 8,000% increase in death threats.”

She said DHS will provide more information as soon as it becomes available.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the woman who was shot was 37-years-old.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara told reporters she was shot in the head, and was later pronounced dead at the Hennepin County Medical Center. 

Members of law enforcement work the scene following a suspected shooting by an ICE agent during federal operations on January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty)

“We’ve dreaded this moment since the early stages of this ICE presence in Minneapolis. Not only is this a concern that we’ve had internally, we’ve been talking about it. They are not here to cause safety in this city. What they are doing is not to provide safety in America,” said Frey. “What they are doing is causing chaos and distrust. They’re ripping families apart. They’re sowing chaos on our streets and, in this case, quite literally killing people.”

Frey rejected claims that the incident was an act of self-defense, saying after viewing the video himself, such assertions were “bull—.”

He then told ICE to get the “f— out” of Minneapolis. 

“We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some kind of safety, and you are doing exactly the opposite,” he added.

O’Hara said the Minneapolis Police Department secured the crime scene and that the investigation is now being jointly led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to determine whether any state laws were violated.