ICE officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis, investigation underway

An ICE officer fatally shot a woman Wednesday morning in south Minneapolis, according to Tricia McLaughlin, the Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for public affairs.

WCCO is at the scene near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, where federal and local law enforcement have clashed for hours with protesters.

McLaughlin claims the victim was “one of these violent rioters” who “weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them — an act of domestic terrorism.”  

In a social media post, Democratic Minnesota U.S. Sen. Tina Smith said the victim was “a U.S. citizen.” 

In a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the victim was 37 years old.

Witnesses tell WCCO whistles sounded to alert neighbors of ICE’s presence at about 9:30 a.m. Witnesses say they saw a Honda Pilot blocked by multiple federal agents, and an agent tried to open her driver’s side door.  

The motorist then put her vehicle into reverse, then into drive. Witnesses said they then heard three shots fired. The Honda traveled another 20-30 feet before crashing into another vehicle.

A video posted to social media of the deadly encounter corroborates witness accounts, and casts doubt on Homeland Security’s claim the victim “weaponized” the Honda.

The woman was removed from the Honda and paramedics were seen giving her CPR, according to witnesses. She was eventually carried away from the scene.

Protesters began clashing with law enforcement about an hour later off East 34th Street.

This fatality comes amid the influx of 2,000 federal law enforcement members in the Twin Cities metro area.

This is a developing story. Follow live updates below.