Violence erupted in Minneapolis on Saturday as anti-ICE demonstrators confronted federal agents near the scene of a Border Patrol-involved shooting, prompting the deployment of Minnesota National Guard troops. Homeland Security officials said a federal law enforcement officer lost a finger after an alleged assault during the unrest, which followed the fatal shooting of an armed man during an immigration enforcement operation.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said on social media that an anti-ICE agitator bit off the finger of a federal officer during the confrontation. “In Minneapolis, these rioters attacked our law enforcement officer and one of them bit off our HSI officer’s finger,” McLaughlin wrote. “He will lose his finger.” Officials released images of two individuals in custody, though authorities have not confirmed which suspect was responsible.
Earlier, a Border Patrol agent fatally shot a 37-year-old U.S. citizen who Homeland Security officials said was armed with a 9mm pistol and two magazines and “violently resisted” officers. Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino said the suspect appeared intent on mass harm, stating it “look[ed] like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”
Bovino said roughly 200 protesters arrived at the scene, obstructing and assaulting officers. “We will not allow violence against our law enforcement officers,” he said, calling for state and local cooperation. The Minnesota National Guard confirmed additional troops were mobilized to protect federal facilities and assist law enforcement as tensions remained high.