ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - St. Paul police say a federal agent fired their weapon after being struck by a vehicle.
The agent who was struck sustained non-life-threatening injuries and other federal agents took the suspect into custody.
Federal agent's use of force in St. Paul
What we know:
The St. Paul Police Department said its officers responded to the 1300 block of Westminster Street for a report of shots fired just after 8:20 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21.
Officers then determined a federal agent was struck by a vehicle, which led to the agent firing their service weapon. The suspect was not injured and was taken into custody by federal authorities. The federal agent who was struck reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The St. Paul Police Department said none of its officers were involved in the use of force.
ICE agents say suspect rammed squads during chase
Timeline:
In a statement on Sunday, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin outlined the circumstances that led to the use of force by agents.
McLaughlin says agents identified a man from Cuba who was in the United States illegally as he got into a white SUV on Westminster Street. ICE agents stopped the man and approached the vehicle but say he refused to cooperate. Eventually, the man drove away from ICE agents, striking one of the officers in the process.
The ICE agents followed, and the man pulled into a parking lot near his home, hitting two parked vehicles. Agents pulled up and ordered the man to get out of the SUV. Instead, they say he rammed into the ICE squad, hitting another ICE agent. The agent that was hit fired two rounds from his service weapon, causing the wanted man to drive away. McLaughlin says there is no evidence anyone was injured by the gunfire.
The man then drove to the front of his apartment building, rammed another ICE squad, and got out of his SUV, in an attempt to run inside the apartment. Agents followed and were able to arrest him. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation and remains in ICE custody. Two ICE officers were also treated for non-life threatening injuries after the incident.
What they're saying:
McLaughlin blamed Democratic leaders, including Governor Walz, for inflaming rhetoric around ICE agents, leading to more dangerous situations for officers.
"This dangerous attempt to evade arrest comes after sanctuary politicians held webinars and provided resources and tips for how to openly defy ICE," the statement reads in part. "We are once again calling on sanctuary politicians, agitators, and the media to turn the temperature down and stop calling for violence and resistance against ICE law enforcement."
The Source: This story uses information shared by the St. Paul Police Department.