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Minnesota Launches Independent Examination After Federal Agents’ Fatal Shooting of Minneapolis Man
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Saturday that the state will conduct its own investigation into the death of a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident shot by federal immigration agents, escalating a conflict with the federal government over transparency and jurisdiction. This marks the second instance this month where state law enforcement officials report obstruction from federal agencies investigating the death of a Minnesota resident at the hands of federal officials.
The escalating tensions stem from a pattern of perceived non-cooperation. Governor Walz stated he informed the White House Saturday morning that minnesota’s justice system “must have the last word,” asserting that the “federal government cannot be trusted to handle the investigation.” A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed to Axios that the Department of homeland Security (DHS) will lead the federal investigation.
the latest incident has ignited further outrage over the presence and actions of Immigration and customs Enforcement (ICE) within the state.Governor Walz and other state leaders have demanded the removal of the “thousands of immigration agents” deployed to Minnesota in recent weeks.In response, the former president posted on his Truth social platform, accusing the mayor and governor of “inciting Insurrection” with their public statements.
Governor Walz directly challenged the management’s initial account of the shooting, dismissing it as “nonsense” and “lies.” He pointed to video footage from the scene, stating, “thank God we have video, because according to DHS, these seven heroic guys took an onslaught of a battalion against them.” He accused federal officials of “spinning stories” and “rushing to judgment,” adding, “They’re telling you not to trust your eyes and ears.”
Available videos appear to depict the man recording the agents with his phone and attempting to assist another individual who was being pushed to the ground by an agent. The man was subsequently sprayed with chemical agents, wrestled to the ground by approximately six agents, and then shot multiple times.
DHS maintains that the man was armed with a firearm and that a Border patrol agent fired after the man resisted attempts to disarm him. Though, circulating videos have not yet shown the man reaching for or displaying the weapon in question.
The obstruction of justice extends beyond the immediate investigation. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) reported on X (formerly Twitter) that its investigators were “blocked” from accessing the scene Saturday morning by federal agents. Department of Public Safety commissioner Bob Jacobson told reporters that DHS personnel “pulled out of the scene,” forcing state agents and officers to withdraw for their own safety as a crowd of protesters gathered.
https://twitter.com/MnBCA/status/1758898765432109598
This is not an isolated incident. Federal officials previously blocked state investigators from accessing evidence following an ICE official’s shooting of protester Renee Good in early January,asserting Minnesota lacked jurisdiction over the case. Despite this claim, local prosecutors have pledged to continue their independent investigation.
In response to the escalating situation, Minnesota national Guard Commander Shawn Manke announced that the Guard, previously placed on standby earlier in the week, has been
