On Saturday, Tricia McLaughlin, the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, took to social media to reveal a shocking incident involving a federal law enforcement officer in Minneapolis. She posted a photo showing the officer’s finger, which was allegedly severed by an anti-ICE protester.
In her post, McLaughlin stated, “Our law enforcement officer was attacked by rioters in Minneapolis, and one individual bit off the finger of our HSI officer. Unfortunately, he will lose his finger.”
Accompanying the message were images of two individuals who appeared to be in custody, though it remains unclear which person was responsible for the alleged biting.
While full details of the assault have yet to emerge, the incident coincides with heightened protests in the city, sparked by the deaths of two U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement operations.
According to officials, a protester in Minnesota allegedly bit off the finger of a federal agent. (Tricia McLaughlin/X)
Coinciding with McLaughlin’s announcement, a video surfaced hours earlier showing a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. The footage captured the agent fatally shooting an armed individual amid a crowd of demonstrators.
The 37-year-old man, a U.S. citizen from Minneapolis, allegedly approached agents and then “violently resisted,” while armed with a 9mm pistol and two magazines, according to Homeland Security officials.
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino said during a news conference on Saturday it “look[ed] like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”
Officials said Minnesota anti-ICE protesters allegedly bit off the finger of a federal agent. (Tricia McLaughlin/X)
“About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement,” Bovino said. “We will not allow violence against our law enforcement officers, and we need state and local help. … [Minneapolis] Mayor [Jacob] Frey and [Minneapolis Police Department] Chief Brian O’Hara, just a few minutes ago, did the opposite of that by omitting the fact that the suspect had a gun and magazines full of ammunition.”
He reiterated that those who obstruct law enforcement are in violation of the law and will be arrested.
It is unclear who allegedly bit the agent’s finger off, though officials released photos of two potential suspects. (Tricia McLaughlin/X)
The Minnesota National Guard confirmed on Saturday that in addition to troops previously mobilized at the direction of Gov. Tim Walz, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office requested additional support and more soldiers will be brought in.
Guardsmen will provide security at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, and assist the Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and other local agencies, if requested.
