Governor Walz notifies National Guard to prepare to protect public safety in Minneapolis
TIm Walz News Conference follow ICE shooting of woman in Minneapolis
(WCCO / January 7, 2026)
(AP) – An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis motorist on Wednesday during the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown in a major U.S. city — a shooting that federal officials claimed was an act of self-defense but that the city’s mayor described as “reckless” and unnecessary.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he’s prepared to deploy the National Guard if necessary. He also said that like many, he is outraged about the killing, which he described as “predictable” and “avoidable.” But he called for calm.
“They want a show. We can’t give it to them. We cannot,” the governor said during a news conference.
“If you protest and express your First Amendment rights, please do so peacefully, as you always do. We can’t give them what they want.”
The Minnesota State Patrol has mobilized 85 members of its Mobile Response Team to support law enforcement efforts in the Twin Cities.
Videos taken by bystanders with different vantage points and posted to social media show an officer approaching an SUV stopped across the middle of the road, demanding the driver open the door and grabbing the handle. The SUV begins to pull forward and a different ICE officer standing in front of the vehicle pulls his weapon and immediately fires at least two shots into the SUV at close range, jumping back as the vehicle moves toward him. It was not clear from the videos if the vehicle made contact with the officer. The SUV then sped into two cars parked on a curb nearby before crashing to a stop.
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The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is jointly investigating the incident along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Governor Walz called Homeland Security’s claims in the Minnesota shooting ‘propaganda’. He wrote on X, “I’ve seen the video. Don’t believe this propaganda machine.” The state will ensure there is a full, fair, and expeditious investigation to ensure accountability and justice,” governor added.
