Full Breakdown
ICE Agent Fires Shots After SUV Incident in St. Paul
12/22/2025, 8:33:39 AM
Incident Overview
On Sunday morning in St. Paul, Minnesota, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fired shots at Juan Carlos Rodrigues Romero, a Cuban immigrant living in the U.S. illegally, after he struck two agents with his SUV. The incident began when ICE agents attempted to stop Rodrigues Romero's vehicle, which he refused to comply with, leading to a series of events that escalated into a use-of-force situation.
Sequence of Events
The confrontation unfolded around 8:20 a.m. when ICE agents approached Rodrigues Romero's SUV. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), when agents identified themselves, Rodrigues Romero drove off, hitting one agent in the process. He then entered a parking lot at his apartment complex, where he continued to ram his vehicle into an ICE vehicle, striking a second agent. In response, an ICE agent fired shots, although none of the gunfire struck Rodrigues Romero. He attempted to flee into his apartment but was subdued by agents, during which he bit one of them. Both agents sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital for evaluation.
Background Context
Rodrigues Romero entered the U.S. in 2024 through a now-discontinued program initiated by former President Joe Biden's administration, which allowed migrants without proper entry papers to remain in the country while their asylum claims were processed. The incident occurs amid heightened tensions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, where federal immigration enforcement actions have led to clashes with protesters.
Official Statements & Responses
Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin provided details about the incident, emphasizing that the injuries to the agents were not life-threatening. She stated, “The man wasn’t hurt, and the injuries received by the agents struck by the SUV were not life-threatening.” The St. Paul Police Department confirmed that their officers were not involved in the use-of-force incident and that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) would investigate the shooting.
Criticism & Opposition
Local residents expressed mixed feelings about the incident. One witness, Susan Sulieman, noted the chaos, stating, “All I heard was a bang, then I heard sirens, and then I heard gunshots.” Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, reported damage to her vehicle caused by an ICE vehicle during the incident. Michael Laturno, another local, reflected on the complexity of the situation, saying, “It’s really hard... everybody’s trying to protect their family, and then ICE is just trying to do their thing.”
What's Next
Rodrigues Romero is currently in federal custody, pending further charges. The investigation into the use-of-force incident is ongoing, with the BCA handling the inquiry into the actions of the ICE agents involved.
