Border Patrol-Involved Shooting in Minneapolis: What Happened

On January 24, 2026, a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot a 37-year-old man in south Minneapolis, marking another deadly encounter between federal law enforcement and a city resident.

Federal authorities say the incident unfolded during a targeted enforcement operation in the area around 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the man was armed with a handgun and two magazines when he approached Border Patrol officers, prompting at least one agent to fire in what DHS described as a defensive action.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara later confirmed the man was a city resident and U.S. citizen who held a permit to carry a firearm and did not have a significant criminal history beyond traffic offenses.

The shooting happened amid an ongoing federal immigration enforcement operation that has drawn intense local attention. It was reported to be the third federal agent-involved shooting in Minneapolis in less than three weeks, following other fatal and non-fatal encounters.

News of the shooting ignited protests and unrest in the city, with gatherings near the scene and law enforcement at times using measures like tear gas to manage crowds. Local leaders called for calm, and political figures expressed differing views on the federal presence in Minneapolis.

Authorities are continuing to gather information and officials say investigations into the shooting are ongoing. More details may emerge as inquiries proceed.