A federal immigration officer fired a weapon after he was struck with a vehicle by a suspect fleeing from officers in St. Paul on Sunday, Dec. 21, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
A man who the agency described as a Cuban national and not a U.S. citizen, was identified Sunday morning as he got into a white SUV near Westminster Street in St. Paul. According to a statement from Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary for public affairs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers attempted “a lawful vehicle stop.” But the suspect refused to comply with officers’ commands and drove away, striking one officer, McLaughlin said.
Officers pursued the suspect, who later struck two parked vehicles and rammed an ICE vehicle before hitting a second officer, according to the agency. The officer who was struck “defensively fired” two rounds from a service weapon, McLaughlin said. No one was hit by the gunfire.
DHS said the suspect later drove to the entrance of his apartment complex, rammed another ICE vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. Officers pursued him, and ICE said the man continued to resist arrest and bit an officer before being subdued and taken into custody.
Two ICE officers were treated at a hospital for injuries that were not life-threatening. The suspect also was taken to a hospital for evaluation and remains in ICE custody pending further charges, the agency said.
The Minnesota Star Tribune generally doesn’t name suspects until they are charged.
St. Paul Police said officers were called just after 8:20 a.m. to the 1300 block of Westminster Street after reports of shots fired and learned that a federal agent was involved in a use-of-force incident.
ICE said the firearm discharge and use-of-force incident will be reviewed in accordance with agency policy, including an independent review following an initial investigation.
