Tensions have flared in Minneapolis in the wake of the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by a federal immigration agent, as protests have mounted and erupted into clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officers.
Video footage of the incident circulating online shows federal agents going up to a car, with one officer trying to open the door on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The car can be seen backing up briefly, and then starting to drive away from the officers. In the footage, another agent appears to pull out his gun and proceeds to fire shots in the direction of the car.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Thursday authorized the state’s National Guard “to be staged and ready to support local and state law enforcement in protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining public safety,” according to a press release from his office, which stressed that the move was done “out of an abundance of caution.”
“Thousands of people have peacefully made their voices heard. Thank you. We saw powerful peace,” Walz said in the press release. “We have every reason to believe that peace will hold. Yesterday, I directed the National Guard to be ready should they be needed. They remain ready in the event they are needed to help keep the peace, ensure public safety, and allow for peaceful demonstrations.”
