A video capturing a fatal incident between an ICE agent and a woman in Minneapolis has ignited widespread outrage, prompting activists in Jacksonville to organize a protest.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A cell phone video documenting a deadly confrontation involving a woman and an ICE agent in Minneapolis is stirring national indignation and motivating action among Jacksonville community members.
The incident involved the shooting of a 37-year-old woman during an immigration raid on Wednesday. Federal authorities have characterized the shooting as an act of self-defense, but it has raised significant concerns among officials at various government levels.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the ICE agent fired in self-defense. They stated that the woman was in her vehicle when the shooting occurred, amidst a scenario where a crowd was obstructing officers during the operation.
Footage captured by witnesses from multiple angles reveals an officer approaching an SUV positioned in the middle of the road, ordering the driver to open the door while attempting to open it himself. As the vehicle starts to move forward, another ICE officer standing in front of it draws his weapon and fires into the SUV, stepping back as the vehicle approaches. It remains unclear from the videos whether the SUV made contact with the officer.
Following the release of the video, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey commented that the footage does not appear to demonstrate the vehicle being used as a weapon against the agent.
Local immigrant advocates say what happened in Minneapolis is deeply concerning and they plan on holding an emergency rally in protest.
“That’s not acceptable, and it is our duty as Americans, as people of conscience, to stand up and say that we won’t accept it,” said Maria Garcia with the Jacksonville Immigrant Rights Alliance. “I’m sure when she went out there that day, she didn’t go out with the thought that she may lose her life.”
“If they can get away with it in Minneapolis, then they could certainly do that here. There have been immigration raids and immigration enforcement happening in Jacksonville and in North Florida.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the shooting was an act of self-defense. She and President Trump labeled the incident an act of domestic terrorism and praised the agent’s actions.
“An officer of ours acted quickly and defensively shot to protect himself and the people around him, and my understanding is that she was hit and is deceased,” said Noem.
This occurred after more than 2,000 ICE agents were deployed to Minneapolis.
“It’s obviously very concerning whenever there’s a shooting into a vehicle of someone who’s not armed, but it also is something that is possible at times it is justified, but it is very concerning,” said Brian O’Hara, Minneapolis Police Chief.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is urging calm nationwide, as emotions run high
“The desire to get out and protest and to speak up to this administration of how wrong this is, that, that is a patriotic duty at this point in time, but it needs to be done safely,” said Governor Walz.
Thursday evening, activists in Jacksonville will be outside the federal courthouse to speak out against the incident and demand an end to ICE operations.
