krcrtv.com
That is what a court of law might potentially regard as a "mitigating circumstance" - i.e. if it is found that the agents acted unprofessionally, it might be invoked to lessen their punishment, but not to exculpate them. It would also shift part of the blame to their commanders - assuming the agents were ordered to engage in activities that go beyond their training, or saddled with an unreasonable workload.
This is why professional law enforcement agencies have rigorous training and use-of-force instructors. According to Border Patrol union chief Paul Perez, the shooter actually was one such instructor(!) - now, I'm not prepared to believe this guy on his word (YMMV), but I did listen to his interview on Fox (you can see it here and make up your own mind - but best stop 2/3 of the way through, since he goes on to make some pretty vile political declarations at the end).
Because that's the site of a large-scale ICE operation led by the force commander himself. There's nothing intrinsically special about Minneapolis. We saw similar scenes in Portland in mid-2025 when ICE ran a big op there - and it occurs to me that if this isn't defused, you're going to see much larger - and potentially more violent - protests if and when ICE decide to converge on - say - New York City. Or Boston. Or any other large "blue" city (note that with its population of under half a million Minneapolis is a small town by comparison).
Well, you're now in a situation where both sides of the debate (let's charitably call it that) are beginning to act like they belong to two different nations that are at war with each other. One side is talking about an "insurrection"; the other - about an "occupation". This is very dangerous and can easily spiral out of control if the carnage continues.
Or equally possible agents are frustrated and overwhelmed. The man who was shot had been at previous protest and obstructions incidents in Minneapolis.
Recorded directing protest and traffic to hamper ICE officials.
It’s noticeable that the one public statement from the deceased parents were them encouraging him to not do anything foolish.
Yes the officers have a professional responsibility, but citizens have a responsibility as well. That cannot be excused away.
It’s noticeable that as yet this level of violence IS only occurring in Minneapolis. Which prompts the question why?
As one person from Florida commented, you’re not seeing this in other places.
Because in those places local agencies are not actively obstructing federal agencies. Or worse yet local politicians encouraging and excusing protestors aggressive tactics.
That is because I believe it can plausibly be argued some local politicians are condoning or excusing away protestors aggressive tactics.
As Chicago police chief cautions people in Chicago.
ICE and CBP are federal law enforcement.
Do not interfere in their activities as law enforcement.
No he was not issuing a blanket support for ICE. But it was a statement of fact regarding citizens responsible interactions with law enforcement.
Fact Check: Did Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling voice support for ICE agent Jonathan Ross?
In a viral clip, Larry Snelling warns that plowing a vehicle at federal agents constitutes deadly force and that they can use deadly force in responsenews.meaww.com
FAFO is a callous and flippant response to bad situations. But there is still truth in it.
Proper training refers to the Use of force Continuim. The training is an extensive component of studying the escalation/de-escalation to the level of response to threat. The scenario we are discussing does not support the escalation based on the accepted training that is admissible in court. Whether someone yells gun, does not suggest firing on a subject.
The key phrase in that statement is "proper training." Standards for police officers at all levels have been slowly dropping for years. Even in my rural county, we have police officers with full-sleeve arm tattoos wearing full body armor and tactical vests. They look more like thugs than professional law enforcement. And, I might add that the violent crime rate in our county does not warrant what they are wearing. American police have been militarized over the past few decades, and with the exception of uniform, it's difficult to tell where law enforcement ends and the military begins.
This has been happening with law enforcement for decades, long before the current clusterfuck. Rodney King, anyone?
Except that rarely happens. Officers are rarely held accountable for excessive use of force. It is slowly improving due to the prevalence of dashcams, cell phone cameras, and personal body cams, but it's still a huge problem.
I'm okay with that ONLY IF it applies equally to both law enforcement and civilians.
I'm pretty sure this was the beginning of the police arming up.
You had heavily armed men with automatic weapons and full body armor in a shootout with police with handguns! Actually, it's just the opposite. When I was a young man, you wouldn't dare get in an officer's face like they do today.
That works both ways.
Seriously! You want to disarm law enforcement! WOW!
