Crime
Video shows moments woman shot and killed while fleeing ICE in Minneapolis
UPDATE: Today, ICE officers in Minneapolis were conducting targeted operations when rioters began blocking ICE officers and one of these violent rioters weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism.
An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots.
He used his training and saved his own life and that of his fellow officers. The alleged perpetrator was hit and is deceased.
The ICE officers who were hurt are expected to make full recoveries.
This is the 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.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Authorities are investigating a fatal shooting involving federal immigration agents that occurred Wednesday morning near 33rd Street and Portland Avenue, close to Powderhorn Park, amid an immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed that an ICE-related shooting took place and said state officials are working to gather additional information.
As news of the incident spread, hundreds of federal agents, Minneapolis police officers, and residents converged on the area.
Protesters also gathered throughout the morning, and tensions escalated as crowds formed around the secured perimeter.
According to witnesses, a woman was shot by a federal agent during a confrontation involving a vehicle.
First responders were seen providing emergency medical care, including CPR, before the woman was transported by ambulance. Her identity has not been released, and officials have not confirmed whether she later died from her injuries.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that the woman rammed her vehicle into ICE agents, prompting the use of deadly force. DHS did not clarify whether the reported impact involved other vehicles or directly struck agents. Authorities have not confirmed whether the woman was the subject of an immigration warrant.
At the scene, a burgundy SUV was observed with a bullet hole through the driver’s side windshield.
The vehicle had collided with a light pole, and two nearby parked cars were also damaged, consistent with reports of a crash following the shooting.
Several witnesses provided accounts of the moments leading up to the incident. Emily Heller, who lives near the intersection, said she was awakened by commotion outside her home and saw what appeared to be a standoff involving federal agents and a woman in a vehicle.
Heller stated that agents she believed to be with ICE were telling the driver to leave the area.
“She was trying to turn around, and the ICE agent was in front of her car,” Heller said. “He pulled out a gun, put it right up on the hood of the car, and then reached across and shot her in the face three or four times.”
Heller said the vehicle then accelerated approximately 100 feet before striking a utility pole and other cars. She reported that the woman appeared slumped over inside the vehicle following the crash.
Another witness near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue said they observed emergency personnel performing CPR on an injured person before the individual was taken away by ambulance.
Additional observers suggested the woman may have been acting as a legal observer or protester, filming immigration enforcement activity in the area.
One witness, Venus DeMars, said she went outside after hearing reports of law enforcement activity near Central Elementary School, where federal agents were reportedly detaining parents who were dropping off a child earlier that morning.
“I live right here, so I came over to try to figure out what was going on,” DeMars said. “I later heard that someone had been shot and went to the intersection. I saw them doing CPR behind a snowbank for about a minute, and then the ambulances arrived and placed her on a stretcher.”
DeMars said she did not witness the shooting itself and could not confirm who fired the weapon or the exact circumstances. She described the woman as white and said she appeared to be an observer rather than someone being detained.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials, including Commander Gregory Bovino, were reported to be present at the scene along with other federal agents.
In a statement posted on X, Governor Walz said his public safety team is aware of the incident and urged residents to remain calm as information is verified.
“In the meantime, I ask folks to remain calm,” Walz wrote.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also confirmed that a federal immigration agent was involved in the shooting and sharply criticized the presence of immigration enforcement in the city.
“The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city,” Frey said. “We are demanding ICE leave the city immediately. We stand rock solid with our immigrant and refugee communities.”
As crowds and demonstrators continued to gather, some protesters reportedly threw snowballs toward federal agents. Law enforcement deployed pepper spray and tear gas in an effort to control the scene and disperse the crowd.
Officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the woman, whether she was the target of an enforcement action, or whether body-worn camera or surveillance footage is being reviewed.
Authorities stated the incident remains under active investigation and that further details will be released as they become available.
Crime
19-year-old Brianna killed in Lincoln shooting, suspect Tyler Benzel charged with first-degree murder
LINCOLN, Neb. — Lincoln police have released additional information about a fatal shooting Tuesday evening that claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman identified as Brianna.
Authorities have identified 37-year-old Tyler Benzel as the suspect in the shooting. According to Lancaster County Jail records, Benzel has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death.
According to Lincoln police, the incident began with a verbal and physical altercation involving Benzel’s wife, Brianna and other individuals.
Investigators said they believe the confrontation was initiated by Benzel’s wife. Police said Benzel later left his residence and approached the group.
Authorities allege that Benzel told the individuals to leave and made verbal threats before raising a firearm and firing at the group. Police said the confrontation and shooting took place away from Benzel’s property.
Officers arrived at the scene within moments and found Brianna suffering from a single gunshot wound.
Officers immediately began providing life-saving medical treatment at the scene. Brianna was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where she later died from her injuries.
Police recovered a 9mm handgun at the scene. However, investigators said forensic testing is still required to determine whether the recovered firearm was the weapon used in the shooting.
Authorities said they are not currently aware of any other weapons being involved in the incident.
Police said Benzel was cooperative when officers arrived at the scene. Authorities also said Benzel and his wife did not know Brianna or the other individuals involved before the altercation.
Benzel’s wife has not been arrested or charged in connection with the shooting at this time.
The investigation remains active as detectives continue gathering evidence, including forensic testing of the recovered firearm.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Benzel is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
