Minneapolis: Tension was mounting in Minneapolis in the US state of Minnesota after a man died following a shooting by a federal officer. This incident marks the second occurrence of such a nature in the city this month.
According to Ghana News Agency, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem stated during a press conference that DHS officers were conducting a targeted operation against an illegal alien wanted for crimes, including violent assault, when they encountered an individual with a 9 millimeter semi-automatic handgun. The situation escalated when the person reacted violently, prompting an officer to fire defensive shots. Despite immediate medical intervention, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.
Contradicting this account, the Minneapolis Police chief reported that the man, a 37-year-old white male citizen of Minneapolis, died shortly afterwards in a hospital. The police chief indicated that the individual was presumably a US citizen, further complicating the narrative presented by federal authorities.
The New York Times reported that the incident quickly drew a crowd of at least 300 demonstrators to the scene, leading to the use of tear gas and pepper spray by officers. The tension has been further fueled by comments from US President Donald Trump, who criticized local leaders on social media, accusing them of inciting insurrection.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, have called for the withdrawal of federal forces from the state, arguing that their presence is exacerbating the situation. They have expressed concern over the recent federal operations, highlighting previous incidents, including a case earlier in January where an ICE officer shot a woman in Minneapolis, leading to widespread protests.
The current federal operations, part of a broader deportation policy under Trump's administration, have resulted in around 3,000 arrests in Minnesota alone. This aggressive approach has led to several lawsuits by local authorities against the actions of federal agencies, which are currently pending in courts.