An ICE agent fired shots at a Cuban immigrant in St. Paul, Minnesota, after the man struck the agent and another with an SUV, the Department of Homeland Security said.
The Incident
The event unfolded on a Sunday morning in St. Paul. ICE agents approached a vehicle that the suspect was driving. The suspect refused to comply with the agents’ requests to open the vehicle window.
Agent Response
The agents warned the suspect that they would break the window if he did not comply. The suspect then drove away, striking one ICE agent with the SUV. He later stopped at the parking lot of his apartment complex.
Second Impact
In the parking lot, agents again stopped the vehicle and ordered the suspect to exit the SUV. The suspect then rammed his SUV into an ICE vehicle, striking a second agent. The agents fired their weapons, but the shots missed the suspect.
Attempted Escape
After the collision, the suspect exited his SUV and tried to run into his apartment building. Officers brought him to the ground and restrained him outside his unit.
Injuries and Medical Care
The suspect was not hurt by the incident. The two ICE agents who were struck by the SUV received injuries that were not life-threatening. All parties were taken to a hospital for evaluation, according to Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
McLaughlin’s Statement
Tricia McLaughlin sent an email to reporters detailing the sequence of events. She confirmed that the agent who fired the shots was an ICE agent and that the suspect had been detained following the confrontation.
Background of the Suspect’s Entry
McLaughlin noted that the suspect entered the United States in 2024 through a program that was discontinued by the Biden administration. The program allowed migrants without proper entry papers to seek asylum while their claims were reviewed.
Rising Tensions in the Twin Cities
The incident occurred amid growing tensions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Federal authorities have intensified immigration enforcement, and the situation has sparked protests.
Minneapolis Protest Clash
Last week, ICE agents and protesters clashed in neighboring Minneapolis. The confrontation added to the sense of unease in the region.
Identification by ICE Agents
When the agents first approached the suspect, they identified themselves as ICE agents. The suspect’s refusal to open the window prompted the warning about breaking the window.
Vehicle Refusal and Ramming
The suspect’s refusal to comply led to the first impact. After the SUV struck an ICE vehicle, the agent’s shots were fired, but the suspect was not hit.
Grounding the Suspect
After the second collision, the suspect’s attempt to flee was thwarted. Officers brought him to the ground and secured him outside the apartment.
Summary of Events
In summary, the suspect’s aggressive actions prompted a rapid response from ICE agents. The agent’s use of force was limited to a brief firing that missed the suspect. All parties received medical evaluation, and the suspect was taken into custody.
Key Takeaways
- An ICE agent fired shots at a Cuban immigrant after the suspect struck two agents with an SUV.
- The suspect was not injured, and the agents’ injuries were non-life-threatening.
- The suspect entered the U.S. in 2024 through a discontinued asylum-review program.
The incident underscores the heightened tensions surrounding federal immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities and highlights the complex dynamics between law-enforcement officers and migrants seeking asylum.
