Charges dropped against suspects in ICE-involved North Minneapolis shooting

Federal agents behind law enforcement tape following an ICE-involved shooting Jan. 14 in North Minneapolis. Photo: Screen capture from CAIR-MN livestream.

On the same day it was announced that ICE would be significantly drawing down forces in Minnesota, the United States Department of Justice announced it is dropping all charges against two men involved in an incident in North Minneapolis where one was shot by federal agents, sparking a massive show of resistance. 

The Jan. 14 incident ignited a tense several hours where protesters stood off with federal agents who deployed several rounds of chemical munitions that sent a young child to the emergency room. Federal agents shot one targeted individual, citing a now debunked narrative that agents were attacked with shovels during an attempted arrest. One of the targets was shot in the leg and federal agents in an official report stated the shooting occurred as a result of being attacked in an attempt to take an individual into custody. But newly revealed evidence indicates the individual was shot while inside of a residence as he was fleeing apprehension. The individual was shot in the leg. 

"After officers reached the person, two other people arrived from a nearby apartment and all three started attacking the officer," DHS said in a statement.

However, newly released evidence contradicted that statement. That evidence included physical evidence at the scene revealing the individual shot was actually inside the residence at the time of the shooting, and not presenting a threat to agents. 

“Newly discovered evidence in this matter is materially inconsistent with the allegations in the complaint affidavit,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Daniel Rosen. 

The shooting sparked hours of protests and during that time a family with young children was caught in the mayhem. The father of a young child claims federal agents fired chemical agents into his vehicle, and as a result his youngest child, about 6 months old, struggled to breath and was rushed to an area hospital. Thankfully, the child has recovered from the attack. 

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has yet to announce if any agents will be held responsible for their actions that evening.