Quick Read
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an ICE agent on January 7, 2026.
- Mayor Frey rejected self-defense claims, stating he saw video evidence, and demanded ICE “get the fuck out of Minneapolis.”
- City officials prioritized medical care for the victim, supporting her family, and clearing ICE agents from the scene.
- An eyewitness described masked ICE agents threatening community members with pepper spray the day before the shooting, creating widespread fear.
- State and federal authorities have launched investigations into the incident.
Minneapolis finds itself at a pivotal moment, grappling with the profound aftermath of a fatal shooting involving a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. On January 7, 2026, a 37-year-old woman was tragically killed during an encounter with ICE, an incident that has ignited fierce condemnation from city leadership and sparked widespread community outrage. As reported by the Star Tribune, Mayor Jacob Frey wasted no time in addressing the public, delivering an impassioned statement that not only condemned the shooting but also directly challenged ICE’s presence and operational tactics within Minneapolis.
At a City Hall news conference, Mayor Frey articulated the city’s immediate priorities: ensuring the victim received urgent medical care, providing support to her grieving family, and swiftly removing ICE agents from the scene to de-escalate an already volatile situation. State and federal authorities have since launched investigations, promising to delve into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Yet, even as these official probes begin, the mayor’s remarks have set a clear tone, underscoring a deep-seated distrust and a demand for accountability.
Mayor Frey’s Unwavering Condemnation and Call for Justice
Mayor Frey did not mince words when discussing the incident, describing a pervasive sense of dread that had shadowed the city since ICE first established a significant presence in Minneapolis. His message was direct and unequivocal: “What they are doing is not to provide safety in America. What they are doing is causing chaos and distrust. They’re ripping families apart. They’re sowing chaos on our streets and, in this case, quite literally killing people.” This statement cut through the official rhetoric, laying bare the human cost of immigration enforcement operations.
Perhaps the most startling revelation from the mayor came when he directly addressed the claims of self-defense, which he asserted ICE was already attempting to propagate. “Having seen the video of myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is bullshit,” Frey declared, according to the Star Tribune. “This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying, getting killed.” This powerful rejection of ICE’s narrative, backed by the mayor’s personal review of video evidence, immediately shifted the public discourse, transforming a tragic incident into a direct challenge against federal authority and its justification.
Frey detailed the city’s immediate response, highlighting that Minneapolis police officers were among the first responders, accompanying the victim in the ambulance. A critical priority for the city was also to clear the scene of ICE and other federal officers, whose continued presence, according to Frey, only exacerbated the chaos. “Having them there was only causing more chaos, having them there was only making a difficult situation even more problematic, and one that, yes, they created themselves,” he emphasized.
A City’s Message: “Get the F*** Out of Minneapolis”
The mayor’s address culminated in a stark, unvarnished message to ICE: “Get the f*** out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here.” This unprecedented demand from a city leader reflects a deep chasm between local governance and federal immigration enforcement policies. Frey reiterated that ICE’s stated mission of safety was, in his view, achieving the exact opposite, leading to harm, family separation, and terrorization of long-term residents who have significantly contributed to the city’s fabric.
Beyond his message to ICE, Mayor Frey also issued a call to action for the community, urging residents to respond to what he characterized as the Trump administration’s agenda of creating chaos with their “best versions of self.” He implored Minneapolis residents to rise to the occasion, demonstrating courage, bravery, love, and compassion, values he believes define the city and, indeed, America itself. This dual message underscored a determination to pursue justice while simultaneously fostering community resilience in the face of adversity.
Echoes of Fear: A Bystander’s Perspective
The intensity of Mayor Frey’s remarks is not an isolated sentiment but resonates deeply within a community that has experienced firsthand the disruptive presence of ICE. An opinion piece published by the Star Tribune on January 7, 2026, offered a chilling bystander account that brought the daily anxieties into sharp relief. The author recounted an experience on January 6, just one day before the fatal shooting, while on “patrol” with community members in the Central Plaza area of Hilltop.
Around 3 p.m., the author witnessed a blue SUV with no license plates, from which “four or five men in masks and vests labeled ICE” emerged. These agents proceeded to question individuals about their Social Security numbers, visa status, and proof of citizenship. The situation quickly escalated when the author heard whistles and discovered two more unmarked vehicles. A masked agent was seen holding a can of pepper spray to the face of the author’s partner, issuing threats. This incident, occurring barely 24 hours before the fatal shooting, painted a vivid picture of the aggressive and intimidating tactics employed by ICE agents, and the palpable fear they instilled in residents and local businesses.
Following the agents’ departure, the strip mall was gripped by fear. Shop doors remained locked, and customers watched through windows with “looks of terror across their faces.” This eyewitness account provides crucial context to Mayor Frey’s condemnation, illustrating how the presence and actions of ICE agents had already created an environment of profound distrust and anxiety, making the fatal shooting a culmination of long-held fears rather than an isolated incident.
While the ICE shooting and its fallout have dominated headlines, the Star Tribune, as a comprehensive regional newspaper, continues to cover a diverse range of local issues. Recent reports have highlighted an audit by the Office of the Legislative Auditor criticizing Minnesota’s management of behavioral health grants, an issue that comes amid broader allegations of fraud in social services programs. The paper also reported on a tentative agreement reached by teachers in the Anoka-Hennepin school district, averting a strike, and even shared news of the passing of Jett, a former St. Paul police horse, marking the end of the force’s mounted unit. Such breadth underscores the Star Tribune’s role in chronicling the varied daily life of Minnesota, from pressing social justice issues to community updates and sports stories like Koi Perich’s decision to enter the college football transfer portal, a move that garnered significant attention among Gophers fans.
The tragic events in Minneapolis, as reported by the Star Tribune, serve as a stark reminder of the volatile intersection between federal immigration policies and local community life. Mayor Frey’s unprecedented and forceful denunciation of ICE, coupled with compelling eyewitness accounts, highlights a growing chasm between federal enforcement mandates and the values and safety concerns of municipalities. This incident is not merely a legal or policy dispute; it is a deeply human tragedy that underscores the urgent need for transparency, accountability, and a reevaluation of how immigration enforcement operates within diverse urban landscapes.