An illegal Venezuelan migrant was shot in the leg by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis after he allegedly fled during a traffic stop and beat the “ambushed” officer with a snow shovel Wednesday evening, the Department of Homeland Security said.

The suspect was behind the wheel when he tried to get away from federal immigration officers at around 6:50 p.m. local time, but he crashed into a parked car, according to DHS.

The migrant then tried to escape on foot and “violently assault[ed] the officer” as the two wrestled on the ground, according to an X post from the agency.

Law enforcement at the scene of a reported shooting in Minneapolis.
An illegal migrant from Venezuela was shot in the leg after he tried to flee immigration officials and attacking an agent with a snow shovel in Minneapolis.AP
While the man continued to struggle with the officer, two other people emerged from a nearby apartment and allegedly mercilessly attacked the agent with a snow shovel and broom handle, the department said.

In the chaos, the Venezuelan migrant was able to wriggle out of the officer’s hold and also allegedly started striking him “with a shovel or broom stick,” according to the post.

Two federal immigration officers in tactical gear at night.
A photographer at the scene observed at least one ambulance leaving the area, KARE reported.AP

A woman confronts federal immigration officers at the scene of a reported shooting in Minneapolis.
Protesters swarmed the shooting scene shortly thereafter.AP

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The officer, “fearing for his life,” shot the Venezuelan man in the leg, DHS said.

The wounded migrant and the two alleged attackers then fled into the apartment and barricaded themselves inside, according to the agency.

Federal agents were eventually able to get inside and apprehended all three individuals.

The officer and the injured suspect were both taken to a nearby hospital, and the two attackers were taken into custody, DHS said.

The department said that the suspect they were originally apprehending is an illegal immigrant who entered the US in 2022.

Multiple sources told the Minnesota Star Tribune earlier Wednesday evening that a series of gunshots rang out after a car chase that tore through part of the Twin Cities.

Two federal agents with "POLICE ICE" and "POLICE FEDERAL AGENT" patches on their vests stand near a dark SUV at night, with flashing lights in the background.
Law enforcement then tossed canisters of chemical irritants at the protesters, who in turn tossed chunks of ice at federal agents, according to the paper. AP
KARE reported that federal agents swarmed around North Lyndale Avenue and 25th Avenue, which is near a 21-acre park, just before 8 p.m. local time.

A photographer with the outlet observed at least one ambulance leaving the area.

Angry protesters later swarmed the shooting scene and began hurling fireworks at police officers, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said at a late-night press briefing.

Protesting community member gestures as federal agents fire munitions and pepper balls.
The protesters were kept at a distance using police tape.REUTERS

Law enforcement officers in riot gear amid red tear gas smoke in Minneapolis.
The City of Minneapolis posted on X that they were “working to confirm details.”AP
Cops tossed tear gas canisters at the protesters in response.

“The crowd is engaging in unlawful acts,” O’Hara said.

“I urge anyone who is at the scene to leave immediately. This is already a very tense situation and we do not need this to escalate any further,” the chief added.

Mayor Jacob Frey also slammed the destructive protesters — claiming they were taking President Trump’s “bait.”

Law enforcement officers at a shooting scene, with red and blue lights from police cars reflecting off smoke.
The Minneapolis Police Department was also “working to confirm additional details.”AP
“For anyone that is taking the bait tonight, stop. That is not helpful. Go home,” he said during the press conference. “We cannot counter Donald Trump’s chaos with our own brand of chaos.”

The shooting comes just one week after Renee Nicole Good, 37, was gunned down by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Jonathan Ross after she allegedly tried to “weaponize” her vehicle against federal agents at a protest near her Minneapolis home.

A protester yells in front of law enforcement after a shooting on Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis.
A protester yells in front of law enforcement after a shooting on Jan. 14, 2026, in Minneapolis.AP
Good was killed at 34th Avenue and Portland Avenue – just over six miles away from the site of Wednesday’s shooting.

The Post reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for more information.