MINNEAPOLIS — A federal law enforcement operation turned violent Wednesday evening when an agent was reportedly ambushed by three individuals during a foot chase, forcing the officer to discharge their weapon.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the incident began around 6:50 p.m. CT when officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a Venezuelan national. The suspect allegedly attempted to flee, crashing his vehicle into a parked car before running from the scene on foot.
DHS officials state that when an agent caught up to the suspect, a physical struggle ensued. During the altercation, two individuals reportedly emerged from a nearby apartment building and attacked the officer using a snow shovel and a broom handle.
READ: Minneapolis Deadly Force: DHS Reveals Officer Suffered Internal Bleeding
Authorities say the original suspect broke free during the melee and joined the others in striking the agent.
Facing what officials described as a three-on-one ambush, the officer fired a defensive shot, striking the initial suspect in the leg. All three individuals then retreated into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside before eventually being taken into custody.
Both the agent and the wounded suspect were transported to a local hospital for treatment. The two other individuals involved in the alleged assault were arrested.
In a sharp rebuke following the incident, the DHS released a statement linking the violence to the political climate in Minnesota.
The department criticized Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, accusing them of fostering an environment of “organized resistance” against federal law enforcement. The statement noted a dramatic 1,300% spike in assaults against federal officers, though local officials have not yet responded to these specific claims.
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