Minnesota Gov. Walz vows state investigation into DHS "lies" about shooting
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Law enforcement guarded the scene of the shooting as protests erupted Saturday. Photo: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday that the state will conduct its own investigation into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis man by federal immigration agents.
The big picture: This is the second time this month local law enforcement said federal agencies have refused to cooperate while investigating the shooting death of a state resident by federal officials.
Driving the news: Walz said he told the White House Saturday morning that the state's justice system "must have the last word" because the "federal government cannot be trusted to handle the investigation."
- A Justice Department spokesperson told Axios that the Department of Homeland Security will lead the investigation.
- The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
The latest: The 37-year-old Minneapolis resident's death has further inflamed tensions over ICE's continued presence and conduct in the state.
- Walz and other officials immediately called on the Trump administration to remove the thousands of immigration agents that have flooded the state in recent weeks.
- The president responded with a Truth Social post accusing the mayor and governor of "inciting Insurrection" with their rhetoric.
What he's saying: Walz pointed to videos taken at the scene as he dismissed the administration's initial accounts of the fatal encounter as "nonsense" and "lies."
- "Thank God we have video, because according to DHS, these seven heroic guys took an onslaught of a battalion against them," he said, accusing federal officials of "spinning stories" and "rushing to judgment."
- "They're telling you not to trust your eyes and ears."
What we know: Videos from the scene appear to show the man recording agents with a phone and attempting to help another observer as she was pushed to the ground by an agent.
- He was sprayed with chemical agents and wrestled to the ground by about half a dozen agents before multiple shots rang out.
- The Department of Homeland Security said the man was armed with a gun and that a Border Patrol agent opened fire as the man resisted agents' attempts to disarm him.
- Videos circulating so far do not appear to show the man reaching for or brandishing the firearm in question.
Friction point: The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said on X that its investigators were "blocked" from the scene this morning by federal agents.
- Department of Public Safety commissioner Bob Jacobson told reporters that DHS "pulled out of the scene," and that his agents and officers had to leave for their own safety as the crowd of protesters grew.
- State Rep. Marion Rarick, a Republican, implored federal agencies to cooperate with the local investigation.
- "Honor federal search warrants. Bring peace to the chaos of our state. Bring full transparency. Bring truth. Follow the constitution. Respect everyones' rights," she wrote on Facebook.
Zoom out: Federal officials also blocked state investigators from accessing evidence after an ICE official shot protester Renee Good in early January, declaring that Minnesota has no jurisdiction to investigate the killing.
- Local prosecutors pledged to continue to pursue their own probe in that case.
What we're watching: Minnesota Guard Commander Shawn Manke said the guard, which Walz put on standby earlier this week, has been activated to help local law enforcement provide security at a federal immigration building.
- More troops remain prepared to respond throughout the metro if the situation escalates, he said.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with comment from a Minnesota state representative.