New York, January 25: Tensions reached a breaking point in Minneapolis on Saturday, January 24, after federal agents fatally shot a 51-year-old armed suspect during an immigration enforcement operation. The incident occurred in a residential neighbourhood as agents from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were reportedly attempting to execute a warrant.

The US Department of Homeland Security said that a man shot and killed by federal agents in Minneapolis on January 24 was armed and “violently resisted” attempts by officers to disarm him. “Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent fired defensive shots. Medics on scene immediately delivered medical aid to the subject but was pronounced dead at the scene,” the US Department of Homeland Security said on X after the shooting. Minneapolis ICE Shooting: 51-Year-Old Man Shot Dead by Federal Officers in Minnesota Amid Immigration Crackdown.

Protest Erupts in Minneapolis

Protest in Minneapolis After Shooting of 51-Year-Old Man

The fatal shooting has acted as a catalyst for a wave of renewed protests, as this is the second such death involving federal agents in the city within a short period. Large crowds gathered near the site of the shooting on Saturday evening, facing off against law enforcement in riot gear. The atmosphere remains volatile, with protesters demanding transparency and an immediate halt to the surge of federal agents in the region.

Why Thousands Are Protesting in Minneapolis

The primary reason for the intensifying unrest is the frequency of fatal encounters between residents and federal law enforcement. This latest incident marks the second fatal shooting and third overall shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis in less than three weeks. Protesters argue that the federal surge, dubbed "Operation Metro Surge," has turned their neighborhoods into "war zones," leading to a complete breakdown of trust between the community and the government. Who Was Renee Good? ICE Agent Shoots and Kills Woman During Crackdown in Minneapolis (Watch Video).

Furthermore, the lack of transparency surrounding these operations has fueled public anger. Federal agencies have often provided conflicting narratives compared to eyewitness reports and bystander videos. The move by federal authorities to limit local police access to evidence in previous cases has further convinced many residents that independent investigations are necessary to achieve justice.

The ‘Economic Strike’

The call for an "economic strike" or "economic blackout" is a strategic effort to draw national attention to the crisis. By encouraging people to stay home from work, skip school, and avoid shopping, organizers hope to demonstrate the critical role that immigrant communities and their allies play in the local economy. On Friday, hundreds of businesses, ranging from local coffee shops to the famed Walker Art Centre, closed their doors in a historic show of solidarity.

Labor unions, faith leaders, and progressive organisations have aligned to push for four specific goals:

  • The immediate withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota.

  • Legal accountability for the officers involved in recent shootings.

  • A cessation of additional federal funding for aggressive enforcement operations.

  • A formal investigation into alleged constitutional and human rights violations.

As the protests grow, so does the level of confrontation. On Saturday, demonstrators dragged dumpsters into the streets to block federal vehicles, while agents used flashbangs and batons to disperse the crowds. The presence of nearly 3,000 federal agents in the Twin Cities has led local leaders to describe the situation as an "invasion" by their own government. With more protests planned across the country in solidarity with Minneapolis, the city remains at the center of a national debate over federal overreach and civil liberties.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 25, 2026 12:15 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).