Federal Officer Shoots Venezuelan Suspect in Minneapolis; Investigation Launched Amid Protests

Updated 2026-01-15 13:17:31+00:00 (2 articles)

Targeted traffic stop escalates into gunfire and injuries A DHS‑led traffic stop in Minneapolis targeted a Venezuelan national illegally in the United States; the man fled, crashed a parked car, and was pursued on foot. He was shot in the leg by a federal officer after two other individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and attacked the officer with a shovel and a broom handle. Both the suspect and the officer required hospitalization, and the two attackers were taken into custody [1][2].

State and federal agencies open parallel investigations The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is heading the criminal investigation, while DHS announced an internal review of the officer’s use of force. Minneapolis officials labeled the surrounding crowd an unlawful assembly, deployed tear‑gas‑filled gas masks, and urged residents to disperse. City leaders called for calm, reiterated support for immigrant communities, and demanded that ICE withdraw from the city [1][2].

Protests and public safety response intensify After the shooting, nearby demonstrators threw rocks and fireworks, prompting police to use tear gas and arrest additional participants. The protests coincided with broader calls for ICE to leave Minneapolis and Minnesota, reflecting heightened tensions over immigration enforcement. Authorities pledged to pursue every lead and reach a logical conclusion in the case [1][2].

Sources (2 articles)

Timeline

Jan 15, 2026 – A federal officer initiates a targeted traffic stop of a Venezuelan national in Minneapolis at ≈ 6:50 p.m. CT, suspecting him of being in the United States illegally. [1][2]

Jan 15, 2026 – The suspect abandons his vehicle, crashes it into a parked car, and flees on foot, prompting a pursuit by federal agents. [1][2]

Jan 15, 2026 – Two individuals emerge from a nearby apartment and assault the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle as the chase continues. [1][2]

Jan 15, 2026 – The officer fires a defensive shot, striking the original suspect in the leg; both the suspect and the officer sustain non‑life‑threatening injuries and are taken to a hospital. [1][2]

Jan 15, 2026 – The suspect retreats into a residence, refuses to exit, and federal agents forcibly enter the home before placing him on an ambulance for transport. [1]

Jan 15, 2026 – Police detain the two assailants who attacked the officer, adding them to custody. [1][2]

Jan 15, 2026 – A crowd gathers near the scene; officers in gas masks deploy tear‑gas, label the gathering an “unlawful assembly,” and urge people to disperse as rocks and fireworks are thrown. [1]

Jan 15, 2026 – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension assumes lead on the investigation, pledging to pursue every lead and reach a logical conclusion. [1]

Jan 15, 2026 – Minneapolis Police Chief urges the public to remain calm, reaffirms the city’s support for immigrant communities, and demands that ICE withdraw from the city and state amid the protests. [2]

Jan 15, 2026 – The Department of Homeland Security issues a formal reaction, confirming the officer’s defensive shot, noting the ongoing investigation, and emphasizing the agency’s commitment to transparency. [1][2]