ReutersAn Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer has shot a man in the leg in the US city of Minneapolis, where an ICE agent shot dead a woman last week.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said federal officers initially pursued the man in a car chase because he was illegally in the US from Venezuela.
The City of Minneapolis confirmed a man was shot and taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries. An ICE officer was also taken to hospital to be treated for injuries, the DHS said.
Tensions over immigration enforcement have been heightened in the US following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent on 7 January.
Good’s death has sparked tense protests in Minneapolis, which have also spread to multiple other US cities.
The latest shooting prompted renewed clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, the city’s police chief Brian O’Hara said, adding his officers were hit by fireworks, ice and snowballs.
Minneapolis city officials said on X: “We understand there is anger. We ask the public to remain calm.”
“The City of Minneapolis again demands that ICE leave the city and state immediately,” they added.
In response to Wednesday’s incident, a DHS statement said the man got out of his car and an altercation took place between him and an ICE official. It added that during the incident two other people emerged from a nearby apartment building and allegedly “attacked” the officer.
“Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals, the officer fired defensive shots,” the DHS statement said, adding “both attackers are in custody”.
The BBC could not immediately independently verify details in the statements. O’Hara said the FBI is investigating the incident.
In response to the latest ICE shooting, Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey accused federal officers of “creating chaos” across the state.
Around 3,000 ICE officers have been deployed to Minnesota over recent weeks.
Officials have offered differing accounts of the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, with the Trump administration claiming the ICE agent was acting in self defence, while local officials say the woman posed no danger.
Videos of the incident show ICE agents approaching a car, which is in the middle of the street. As it attempts to drive off, one of them points his gun at the driver and at least two shots are heard. The FBI is investigating the incident.
Minneapolis city leaders have said Good was at the scene as a legal observer of ICE activities – a volunteer who monitors police and security forces at protests and operations.
Good’s mother told the Minnesota Star Tribune that her daughter was “not part of anything” that involved challenging ICE agents.
But White House officials, including President Donald Trump, have said Good was not simply observing, but also interfering in the officers’ work.
A fundraiser set up for Good’s widow and family has raised more than $1.4m.
In a statement on X responding to reports of ICE shooting the man in the leg, US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said: “Minnesota insurrection is a direct result of a FAILED governor and a TERRIBLE mayor encouraging violence against law enforcement. It’s disgusting.”
Shortly before news of the latest shooting emerged, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz urging Trump to end the “occupation” of ICE officers in the state in a video on social media.
“Angry is not a strong enough word,” Walz said during his address.
