A man was shot dead by US federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday morning, triggering protests and raising questions after video footage appeared to contradict official claims by the Department of Homeland Security.
The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed that a Border Patrol agent fatally shot a man at 09:05 local time during what it described as a “targeted operation” aimed at locating an individual wanted for violent assault.
According to Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, officers encountered an armed suspect carrying a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. She said agents attempted to disarm the man, who allegedly resisted, prompting an officer to fire “defensive shots”. The man was pronounced dead at the scene despite medical aid.
Homeland Security later released a photograph of the firearm, stating it was carried by the man who was killed.
However, video footage circulating online appears to show a Border Patrol agent in a grey jacket and baseball cap removing the firearm from the scene and walking away before the first gunshot is heard, casting doubt on the official account that the shooting occurred while the suspect was still armed.
Minneapolis officials said at a news conference that the man killed was a 37-year-old white Minneapolis resident, believed to be a US citizen. Police said he was a lawful gun owner and that his only known prior contact with law enforcement related to parking tickets.
Earlier reports had incorrectly identified the victim’s age, but Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed the updated details later in the day.
Following the shooting, protests broke out at the scene, with demonstrators gathering near 26th Street West and Nicollet Avenue. Authorities declared the area an unlawful assembly, urging residents to leave. Police later clashed with protesters, using crowd-control measures including what appeared to be tear gas.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the incident as “another horrific shooting” involving federal agents, less than three weeks after a previous fatal encounter in the city.
Homeland Security alleged that protesters later arrived to “obstruct and assault law enforcement”, while city officials said they were still seeking clarity on the sequence of events and reviewing footage.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol officials are expected to give a separate briefing as investigations continue.