DHS Says 37-Year-Old Man Was Armed; Walz Demands Federal Withdrawal As City, State Police Move To Calm Unrest

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 1:30 P.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher, Executive Editor & Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,

MINNEAPOLIS, MN.- A targeted federal immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis escalated into a fatal shooting early Saturday morning after what the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as an armed confrontation between federal officers and a 37-year-old man near the intersection of East 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue.

     According to DHS officials, the man was armed with a handgun and two ammunition magazines at the time of the encounter. Federal authorities have not released the individual’s name pending family notification and the completion of initial investigative steps.

     Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed that the man was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Scene Secured As Protests Erupt;

    Within minutes of the shooting, protesters gathered near the scene, confronting federal officers and law enforcement as tensions rapidly escalated. Minneapolis police, along with Minnesota State Police, established a perimeter in an effort to prevent the situation from deteriorating further and to protect emergency responders and nearby residents.

     City officials urged the public to avoid the area and called for calm as investigators worked to secure evidence and determine the precise sequence of events leading to the shooting.

     This latest incident marks the third federal law-enforcement shooting in Minneapolis in less than two and a half weeks, a troubling pattern as protests continue that has heightened concerns about public safety, officer security, and the increasingly volatile atmosphere surrounding immigration enforcement operations in the city.

DHS: Subject Was Armed And Approached Federal Agents During A Targeted Operation;

     DHS officials stated that the enforcement action was targeted and lawful, emphasizing that federal agents encountered an armed individual during the operation. Images distributed by federal authorities show a handgun believed to have been recovered at the scene.

     Federal officials stressed that officers are authorized to defend themselves when confronted with a credible lethal threat and that the presence of a firearm fundamentally altered the risk profile of the encounter.

     As standard protocol, the shooting will be reviewed by appropriate investigative authorities, with DHS stating it will cooperate fully with any external oversight.

Walz Claims White House Call; No Confirmation Issued;

     Minnesota Governor Tim Walz publicly stated that he contacted the White House following the shooting and demanded that federal agents be removed from Minnesota, characterizing the incident as part of a broader pattern of federal actions in the state.

     As of publication, the White House has not confirmed Governor Walz’s account of that communication, nor has it announced any change in federal enforcement posture related to Minnesota.

Mounting Tensions And Conflicting Authority;

     Saturday’s shooting underscores an increasingly strained relationship between state leadership, city officials, and federal law enforcement agencies operating within Minneapolis.

     Local authorities have repeatedly emphasized de-escalation and crowd control, while federal agencies maintain that their officers are facing heightened risks amid hostile rhetoric and repeated protests that converge on active enforcement scenes.

     With emotions running high and multiple armed encounters in recent weeks, the question many residents are now asking is straightforward but consequential: Who is ultimately directing public safety and law enforcement coordination in Minneapolis during these federal operations?

Enforcement, Accountability, And Public Order;

     Although a majority of people support the lawful enforcement of federal immigration statutes and the protection of officers tasked with executing targeted, court-authorized operations, particularly when federal authorities report the presence of firearms. Today’s shooting is beginning to show a troubling pattern in enforcement operations.

     At the same time, every officer-involved shooting demands independent scrutiny, transparent investigation, and factual clarity. Public officials at all levels bear a responsibility to avoid rhetoric that inflames tensions or encourages confrontations between crowds and armed law enforcement personnel.

     With three federal law-enforcement shootings in less than three weeks, Minneapolis stands at a critical juncture, where leadership, coordination, and restraint may determine whether order is restored or further violence follows. 

Developing Story;

This remains a developing story. Englebrook Independent News will continue to report as authorities release additional confirmed information, including the identity of the deceased, body-camera status, the agency responsible for the involved officer, and which investigative body will assume primary jurisdiction.