MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – ICE officers deployed tear gas during a confrontation with activists just a couple of blocks from the memorial site for Renee Good in Minneapolis.

Protesters clash with police

What we know:

Around 12:45 p.m., federal law enforcement officers were involved in a confrontation with protesters in the area of East 35th Street and Park Avenue, just two blocks from the spot where Renee Good was shot at 34th and Portland.

In a post on Bluesky, Minneapolis Council Member Jason Chavez says ICE officers “rammed” into a car and then questioned the immigration status of the driver – who Chavez said was a U.S. citizen. Chavez said the officers also used a chemical irritant that appeared to be tear gas.

What they’re saying:

At the scene, FOX 9 saw a Subaru with a smashed rear bumper. Speaking after the fact, the man who was questioned said he believes he was stopped purely because he is Latino.

“Because I look Latino, that’s it,” he said. “I don’t look white or got blue eyes. I’m sorry to say that guys. They saw this mustache and they saw me with a hat and they were like ‘Oh, this guy looks like a target. Let’s pull him over.’”

The man says the officers turned on their lights to stop him. He took a left turn and said before he could pull over to stop, they hit him.

A statement sent to FOX 9, attributed to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, said the following:

“On January 12, ICE officers were in a vehicle conducting surveillance on a known illegal alien target when agitators began to obstruct law enforcement. An agitator’s reckless driving caused the officer to get in a car wreck. 

“ICE officers approached the vehicle and asked the driver for identification. The driver quickly became agitated and began threatening ICE officers and shouting profanities at them. Officers were swarmed by approximately 100 agitators who surrounded law enforcement and began throwing objects at them, threatening them, blocking their exit, and impeding their lawful operations. Officers called for backup and were forced to deploy tear gas and other crowd control techniques in order to disperse the crowd.

“Thankfully, all officers were able to safely exit the scene without injuries.

“Make no mistake – obstructing federal law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties is not only dangerous but also a crime.

“Sanctuary politicians have created an environment that encourages rampant assaults on law enforcement. Our law enforcement officers are facing a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks, a more than 1,300% increase in assaults, and an 8,000% increase in death threats.”

Big picture view:

The man says he told the officers he was a citizen but refused to show documents. However, he says they checked his plates, and he believes they verified his identity that way.

As the investigation was underway, a crowd of “observers” gathered and things got tense. Eventually, the law enforcement officers used tear gas to clear the crowd and leave the scene.