Ilhan Omar, Tim Walz Respond to Deadly ICE Shooting in Minnesota
Prominent Democrats, including Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar and Governor Tim Walz, expressed their dismay on Wednesday after an ICE agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the shooting was in response to an agent's life being threatened and that it was "the direct consequence of constant attacks and demonization of our officers by sanctuary politicians.”
Video of the shooting circulated online, with Walz saying it showed that the DHS version of events was not true.
“I've seen the video. Don't believe this propaganda machine,” he posted on X in response to a DHS post. “The state will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice.”
After news of the shooting, Omar said: "ICE must stop terrorizing our communities and leave our city."
Her response was echoed by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who called for agents to leave the city immediately.
“I have a message for ICE. To ICE: Get the f*** out of Minneapolis,” Frey said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. “We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in this city is to create some kind of safety, and you are doing exactly the opposite.
“People are being hurt. Families are being ripped apart. Long-term Minneapolis residents that have contributed so greatly to our city, to our culture, to our economy are being terrorized. Now, somebody is dead. That’s on you, and it’s also on you to leave. It’s on you to make sure that further damage, further loss of life and injury is not done.”
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump's DHS has repeatedly blamed sanctuary policies and the Democratic leaders behind them for an increase in violence toward federal agents. Democrats and immigration advocates have insisted that immigrants, regardless of status, have a right to be treated with respect and that protesters should be able to make their voices heard.
What To Know
Omar, Walz, and others were reacting to the news of an officer-involved shooting in the Central neighborhood in Minneapolis on Wednesday morning. At the time of their initial posts, it was not known whether there had been a fatality.
Walz took to X, saying: "My public safety team is working to gather information on an ICE related shooting this morning. We will share information as we learn more. In the meantime, I ask folks to remain calm."
The situation in Minneapolis did not appear to be calm, with protesters gathering around the scene in the minutes after the shooting, yelling at agents and throwing snowballs.
DHS later confirmed that a woman had been shot by an ICE agent and was deceased after she had allegedly attempted to use her vehicle to run over officers, calling it "an act of domestic terrorism.”
With an agent fearing for his life and the lives of his fellow officers, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek, he fired "defensive shots.“
A video shared on social media, reportedly of the incident, showed a burgundy SUV parked across the street, with federal vehicles approaching it. A driver was seen waving vehicles around before an agent approached their window.
The driver then appeared to turn to drive away, with the agent then firing at least twice through the driver's window. The car then crashed into a phone pole a few yards away. Other videos also appeared to show the scene play out.
Newsweek has not been able to verify the sources of these videos.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara later told reporters that his understanding was that the woman killed was not a target for immigration enforcement, adding that “she appears to be a middle-aged white woman.”
Minneapolis Police arrived at the scene and found the woman with a gunshot wound to the head, O’Hara said. She was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
O’Hara added that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was investigating a deadly use of force.
What People Are Saying
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, at a press conference: “If you’re angry, I get it. I am too. If you’re feeling that kind of despair, it’s understandable. Let’s show them who we can be. Let’s show up with peace to march to protest, to hug one another. To love all the way with peace. Do not give them what they want.”
Representative Ilhan Omar, in a later post on X directed at DHS: “You're lying. There was no attempt to run the officer over and no ICE agents appear to be hurt. Get out of our city.”
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, on X: "My team is gathering information about the ICE-related shooting this morning in Minneapolis. I'll share updates as they are available. Please stay safe."
Senator Tina Smith, a Minnesota Democrat, on X: "A US citizen has apparently been shot by ICE agents in Minneapolis. I'm gathering information, but the situation on the ground is volatile. ICE should leave now for everyone's safety."
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, in a statement to Newsweek: “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. This is an evolving situation, and we will give the public more information as soon as it becomes available."
What Happens Next
Investigations were underway Wednesday afternoon, with more details on the deceased woman yet to be released.
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This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 1:44 PM.