Case Explained:This article breaks down the legal background, charges, and implications of Case Explained: TN lawmakers weigh in on fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis – Legal Perspective
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles blamed democrats for their efforts to “demonize the men and women doing everything in their power to make our country safe.”
ICE fatally shoot a woman in Minneapolis
A U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agent fatally shot a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis.
Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles is calling the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by a U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement officer “completely justified,” and blaming Democrats for their demonization of federal law enforcement, while U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen called the incident “deeply disturbing,” and called for federal agents to be held accountable.
Tennessee and federal authorities have given conflicting narratives of what happened the morning of Jan. 7.
Before the shooting, the woman, who has not yet been identified, was reportedly observing immigration enforcement activities as agents surged into the city in what the federal government described as the “largest immigration operation ever.”
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has described the woman’s actions as an “act of domestic terrorism,” saying the agent “fired defensive shots” after the woman allegedly “weaponized her vehicle,” and attempted to ram officers with it.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed those claims at a news conference, saying videos show the woman driving away from federal agents, not toward them. Minneapolis authorities have said the woman was in her vehicle blocking the road when a federal officer approached her on foot. When she began to drive off, at least two shots were fired and the vehicle crashed on the side of the road.
U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, of Minnesota, described the woman as a “legal observer,” and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn. said the woman was a U.S. citizen.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are both investigating.
U.S. Rep. Andy Ogles
U.S. Rep. Ogles, R-Columbia, issued a statement shortly after the shooting.“Pray for our ICE patriots. Democrats continue to demonize the men and women doing everything in their power to make our country safe,” Ogles shared in an X post. “If you put an ICE agent in mortal danger, self-defense is JUSTIFIED,” he added.
In a later post, Ogles shared video of the incident, reiterating support for ICE.
“I stand with ICE,” Ogles wrote. “Completely justified.”
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen
U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen called the incident “deeply disturbing.”
“Reports out of Minneapolis are deeply disturbing: a woman was killed during an ICE operation. Whatever the facts ultimately show, a federal enforcement action ended with a civilian death ― that should concern everyone,” Cohen said.
Cohen said the shooting “raises serious concerns” for communities like Memphis where ICE remains operational.
“ICE is actively recruiting, running ads that promise big money and seem to suggest looser standards than traditional law enforcement. That should worry people, and it’s an issue that I’ve already raised directly with AG Bondi and others,” Cohen said.
“Federal agents operating in our neighborhoods must be properly trained, held to the law, and subject to real accountability ― not encouraged to believe the rules don’t apply to them,” he said. “Enough is enough.”
This is a developing story.
Vivian Jones covers state government