In Minneapolis on Jan. 14, 2026, a federal law enforcement officer shot and wounded a man during an immigration arrest. As alleged by Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the officer was attacked by the man and two others wielding a snow shovel and broom handle, which prompted the officer to retaliate in self-defense. The version of events as reported by the AP is supported by the official statement from the DHS, however, there is a conflicting first-hand account from the man's wife.
The injured man's wife claims that he was chased by agents, made it inside their home, and then was shot by them when he closed the door. This discrepancy has aided in further fueling the public protests in Minneapolis, which were already heated considering the fatal ICE agent shooting just a week prior.
The official narrative is that the officer fired after a rather violent struggle, however there are opposing claims (specifically from his wife) supporting the idea that this shooting was not justified. The claim is somewhat contested, but there seems to be more weight on the idea that there was an "attack".
https://www.whio.com/news/national/2nd-federal-officer-shooting-minneapolis-prompts-protests-calls-calm/I3BZHAHF2E3K5F3AK5CR44QKFU/#:~:text=,was%20hit%20in%20the%20leg - Covers some political reactions to the news from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as well as Gov. Tim Walz.
https://www.fox9.com/news/minneapolis-ice-shooting-video-ice-help-jan-14 - Shows opposing firsthand claim.
https://www.ksbw.com/article/minneapolis-shooting-federal-agent/70004486#:~:text=car%20before%20taking%20off%20on,a%20judge%20gave%20the%20Trump - Shows an entire account of what occurred (as far as we're aware)
Be wary of the "official reports". The DHS and Federal Officials have a very clear institutional interest in portraying federal operations as legitimate and just. It is very possible that they are emphasizing or even exaggerating the danger posed by the suspect and others. We know that DHS narratives have been contradicted in the past (look at what happened in the Renee Good video versus what was said), so take everything with a grain of salt.
On the contrary, we have oppositional bias from Minnesota officials like Frey and Walz, who are seeking out ICE's departure from their state. This may lead them to downplaying any wrongdoings done by locals, and only highlighting misconducts done by federal agents. Just keep in mind biases on both sides.
The "shovel attack" claim is supported by the DHS and the Minneapolis Police Chief. We also know that there were two additional suspects arrested in this altercation, meaning that there was definitely more than one party involved. The officer who was allegedly attacked was also injured and taken to the hospital according to Fox 9.
The family's account of the shooting occurring after the man had already ran inside is the only supporting counter-claim I have found. We still do not have any supporting evidence for this claim, but there is simultaneously no independent verification of the shovel attack occurring.
Ultimately, this is a very ambiguous situation. There is little evidence to affirm or deny that a shovel attack occurred other than claims from DHS officials. We do know that the officer was hospitalized, but his injuries were never detailed. An altercation clearly occurred, but the more minute details could possibly be misrepresented.
