An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed a woman during a residential raid in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. The incident has triggered a federal civil rights investigation and raised concerns about law enforcement conduct during immigration enforcement operations.
- ICE agent shot and killed Lila M. Thompson, 34, during a raid in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026.
- Incident occurred at 2:18 a.m. in a North Loop apartment building during a targeted immigration enforcement operation.
- U.S. Department of Justice and FBI have launched a joint civil rights investigation.
- This is the second fatal use of force by an ICE agent in 18 months.
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey ordered an independent city-led review of the operation.
- Senators and representatives from Minnesota are demanding release of body camera footage and internal reports.
An ICE agent fatally shot a 34-year-old woman during a residential enforcement operation in the North Loop neighborhood of Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. The incident occurred at approximately 2:18 a.m. when agents entered a multi-unit apartment building as part of a targeted immigration sweep. According to law enforcement officials, the woman, identified as Lila M. Thompson, was unarmed and reportedly attempted to retreat into a bedroom after agents announced their presence. The agent fired multiple shots, resulting in her death at the scene. The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into the shooting, which is being handled by the Civil Rights Division’s Special Litigation Section. This marks the second fatal use of force by an ICE agent in the past 18 months, following a similar incident in Houston in May 2024. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is also assisting in the investigation, with a focus on the circumstances surrounding the agent’s decision to use lethal force. The shooting has prompted immediate backlash from local civil rights groups, including the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the ACLU of Minnesota, which have called for a full review of ICE’s use-of-force protocols. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the incident and announced a city-led independent review of the operation. The incident has also prompted renewed scrutiny of the role of federal immigration enforcement in urban communities, particularly during high-risk raids. The death has drawn national attention, with congressional leaders from Minnesota demanding transparency. Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Ilhan Omar have each called for the release of body camera footage and a detailed internal report from ICE. The agency has not yet released the officer’s name or disciplinary history but confirmed that the agent remains on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.