MINNEAPOLIS January 15, 2026 — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) sharply criticized a New York Times breaking news headline as “despicably misleading” following a shooting incident involving a federal law enforcement officer in Minneapolis on Wednesday evening.
In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), DHS outlined the circumstances of the event, describing it as a defensive action by an officer who was ambushed and assaulted during an arrest attempt.
According to DHS, federal officers were conducting a targeted traffic stop at approximately 6:50 p.m. CT on an individual from Venezuela who had entered the United States illegally and was released into the country in 2022. The subject fled the scene in his vehicle, crashed into a parked car, and then continued on foot.
When the officer caught up and attempted to apprehend him, the subject resisted arrest and began violently assaulting the officer. Two additional individuals emerged from a nearby apartment and joined the attack, striking the officer with a snow shovel and a broom handle. The original subject then broke free and also struck the officer with one of the objects.
“Fearing for his life and safety as he was being ambushed by three individuals,” DHS stated, the officer fired a single defensive shot, striking the initial subject in the leg.
Both the officer and the injured subject were transported to the hospital for treatment. The two additional attackers were taken into custody after barricading themselves in the apartment. A third individual fled the scene.
DHS directly addressed a New York Times breaking news post that read: “A federal agent shot an immigrant in the leg in Minneapolis, federal officials said, one week after an ICE officer killed Renee Good in the city.” The department accused the outlet of knowingly omitting critical context despite being provided the full facts.
“This despicably misleading headline is exactly why the American people have completely lost faith in the mainstream media,” the DHS statement read.
The New York Times later published a full article incorporating DHS’s account, including quotes from spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, while noting that the government’s version could not be immediately independently verified. Protests formed near the scene following the incident, leading to clashes with law enforcement.
The shooting comes amid heightened tensions in Minneapolis, just one week after a separate fatal incident involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman. That earlier event has sparked widespread protests and scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.
Local officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara, were scheduled to address the latest incident. Investigations into both shootings are ongoing.
About The Author
