Woman Shot Dead By ICE: Mayor Says It Was Not Self-Defense

City officials in Minneapolis sharply disputed an account released by the Department of Homeland Security over a fatal incident in which an immigration officer opened fire on a 37-year-old woman seated in a car. A DHS spokeswoman said in a statement that an agent fired after the woman had «weaponized her vehicle» in an attempt to kill federal officers. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey forcefully rejected that version of events during a news conference, calling the explanation «bullsh**». He pointed to video footage of the encounter, which he said shows the woman did not attempt to «ram» federal agents but was instead «driving off» when shots were fired, directly contradicting the federal agency’s characterization and raising serious questions about the use of lethal force.

In a video verified by CNN, the 37-year-old woman killed by an ICE agent appears to have been using her car to block a street where immigration enforcement agents were operating. As agents approached the vehicle and ordered her to get out, the footage shows her attempting to drive away. Moments later, one of the agents fired at close range, shooting through the windshield while standing directly in front of the car. The video has become central to questions raised by city officials, who argue it contradicts federal claims that the woman used her vehicle as a weapon and instead shows a rapidly escalating encounter that ended with a fatal shot fired point-blank.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered a blunt and unusually harsh message to federal immigration authorities operating in the city, telling ICE agents «Get the f**k out» as he condemned their presence following the fatal shooting. Speaking publicly, Frey said it was «predictable» that such an incident would occur, arguing that the ongoing operations by federal immigration enforcement were destabilizing the city rather than improving safety. He accused the agency of creating disorder on the ground, stating that «the presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city», a rebuke that underscored growing tensions between local officials and federal authorities over enforcement tactics and accountability.

As anger spread across Minneapolis following the killing, city officials urged residents to protest without further violence. Police Chief Brian O’Hara acknowledged the public outrage, saying «People are going to be upset about what happened, and people are going to want to exercise their First Amendment rights. But please do so safely and lawfully, to ensure that we do not have any further tragedy in the city or destruction.» Mayor Jacob Frey echoed that message, recognizing the depth of public emotion while calling for restraint, saying «I understand the anger,» but urging residents to «unite around hope and love and peace and getting justice,» as the city braces for demonstrations amid heightened tensions.