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Man Killed by Federal Agents in Minneapolis; Local Officials and DHS Dispute Circumstances

2026-01-24

The BareStory

Federal agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shot and killed a man in south Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24, 2026. The incident occurred near Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street during what federal officials described as an ongoing enforcement operation. The shooting has intensified unrest in the city, following recent large-scale protests against the presence of federal immigration authorities.

Conflicting narratives regarding the confrontation have emerged. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that agents were conducting a "targeted operation" for a suspect wanted for violent assault when a separate individual approached them armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic handgun. McLaughlin alleged the man "violently resisted" efforts to disarm him, prompting an agent to fire "defensive shots." In contrast, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara identified the deceased as a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen. Chief O'Hara noted the man had no criminal record beyond traffic violations and held a valid permit to carry a firearm.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey stated he viewed video footage of the altercation, claiming it showed agents "pummeling" the man before shooting him to death. Reports indicate that video of the incident depicts a scuffle involving multiple agents, with one appearing to strike the individual with a gun before shots were heard. Following the incident, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the event as "horrific" and demanded that the President end the federal operation and withdraw officers from the state. Mayor Frey and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith have issued similar calls for the removal of federal agents.

Immediate unrest followed the shooting, with clashes reported between protesters and law enforcement. Federal agents deployed chemical irritants, and the Minnesota State Patrol declared the gathering an unlawful assembly. The shooting occurred less than three weeks after the January 7 death of Renee Good, who was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in the city. The FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating Saturday’s incident.

Left Perspective

  • Agents reported facing an armed threat during a targeted enforcement operation
  • The use of force was described as a defensive response to violent resistance
  • Operations continued despite immediate clashes with protesters

Right Perspective

  • The deceased was identified as a licensed gun owner with no significant criminal history
  • Officials claim video evidence shows agents using excessive physical force
  • Leaders are demanding the immediate withdrawal of federal forces

How it may affect me

As a U.S. reader:

• Residents in Minneapolis may encounter travel disruptions and safety risks near South Minneapolis due to declared unlawful assemblies and the use of chemical irritants during ongoing protests.

• Tensions between state and federal authorities may impact the future of federal enforcement operations in Minnesota as local leaders demand the immediate withdrawal of federal agents.

• Individuals legally carrying firearms may face heightened risks during interactions with federal law enforcement, as conflicting reports cite the presence of a weapon as a factor in the shooting.

• The involvement of both the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension signifies that the incident will undergo dual investigations to determine the legality of the use of force.

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