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Minneapolis Family Caught in Tear Gas Incident During Immigration Protests
A Minneapolis family seeking only to return home from a basketball game found themselves victims of tear gas deployment during tensions between protesters and federal immigration officers Wednesday evening.
Destiny Jackson, 26, her husband, and their six children, including a 6-month-old infant, required hospital treatment after what they describe as an immigration officer rolling a tear gas canister under their SUV, filling the vehicle with toxic fumes.
“I’ve only seen these things on TV. Some end well, some don’t,” Jackson said, recounting how their family vehicle was inadvertently caught between demonstrators and federal agents during ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the Twin Cities area.
The incident occurred in north Minneapolis near the site where federal officers had earlier shot a man in the leg. According to authorities, that shooting happened after an officer was allegedly attacked while attempting to make an arrest as part of what officials describe as the Trump administration’s largest immigration enforcement operation to date.
Jackson explained that her family encountered a blocked street while driving home from her middle schooler’s basketball game. After stopping to inquire about the situation, she noticed her mother in the area and spent nearly half an hour trying to persuade her to leave as the situation appeared relatively calm initially.
As tensions escalated, Jackson heard flash-bang grenades being deployed nearby and noticed smoke in the air. With protesters filling the street around their vehicle, the family attempted to drive away but encountered federal officers who instructed them to leave the area.
“We waited until the officers walked past,” Jackson said, noting they were particularly cautious after the recent fatal shooting of Renee Good, who was killed by an officer while in her vehicle. When the family believed they had a safe opportunity to depart, Jackson claims an officer rolled a tear gas canister beneath their SUV.
The canister detonated, deploying the vehicle’s airbags and filling it with noxious gas. “My kids were crying and screaming that they couldn’t breathe,” Jackson recalled, describing her frantic efforts to unlock the doors and evacuate her children. Most alarming was her 6-month-old son’s condition – “his eyes were closed and he wasn’t moving.”
Emergency responders received reports of an infant experiencing respiratory distress and worked through crowds to reach the family. The fire department reported the infant was breathing and stable but in serious condition before being transported to a hospital.
Three children – the infant, a 7-year-old, and an 11-year-old – along with Jackson and her husband, all required hospital treatment following their exposure to the tear gas.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, stated that officers were responding to crowds of “rioters and agitators” and did not intentionally target the Jackson family or “their innocent children.”
The incident highlights the broader impact of increased immigration enforcement operations across Minneapolis and St. Paul, affecting not only protesters but also bystanders and local residents. The current operation represents the most extensive immigration enforcement action in the region under the current administration.
Since sharing her experience online, Jackson reports receiving threatening messages and hateful comments. “I try not to pay attention to the negative. I know what was going on. I know what my intentions were,” she said. “I was on my way home.”
The incident raises questions about crowd control tactics during immigration enforcement operations and the potential for collateral impact on uninvolved community members, particularly families with young children who may find themselves unexpectedly caught in enforcement zones.
Local community organizations have expressed concern about the scope of current operations and their impact on both immigrant communities and the broader Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area.
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12 Comments
It’s very distressing to hear about this family’s ordeal. Tear gas exposure can have serious long-term health effects, especially on young children. I hope the authorities take this incident seriously and implement better protocols to protect civilians caught in the middle of protests and law enforcement actions.
This is a terrible situation. Tear gas should never be used against innocent families, especially with young children. I hope this incident leads to better training and policies to prevent such harm in the future.
Agreed, the use of tear gas in this case seems very heavy-handed and disproportionate. Authorities need to find better ways to handle protests without endangering bystanders.
This is a concerning escalation of the ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement. While protests are important, the safety of uninvolved families should be the top priority. I hope the authorities investigate this incident thoroughly.
It’s very troubling to hear about a family, including young children, being exposed to tear gas. Peaceful protest is a fundamental right, but not at the cost of harming innocent people.
This is a heartbreaking example of how tensions between protesters and law enforcement can have devastating consequences for uninvolved parties. The authorities must be held accountable for this incident and take steps to ensure it never happens again.
Absolutely. The use of tear gas in this situation seems completely disproportionate and unjustified. Authorities need to find ways to manage protests that don’t put innocent families at risk of harm.
This is a disturbing incident that highlights the need for better coordination and communication between law enforcement and protesters. Innocent bystanders should never be caught in the crossfire, even inadvertently.
You’re right, this is a serious lapse in judgment and execution by the authorities. Exposing a family, including young children, to tear gas is completely unacceptable. Reforms are clearly needed to prevent such incidents in the future.
My heart goes out to this family. No one should have to endure such a traumatic experience, especially young children. I hope they receive the medical care and support they need to recover from this.
This is a tragic situation. The authorities need to be much more careful and discerning in their use of force, to avoid harming uninvolved civilians. Proportionality and de-escalation should be the top priorities.
As a parent, I can’t imagine the terror and trauma this family must have experienced. Tear gas is an extremely harmful substance, and its use against civilians, especially children, is deeply concerning. I hope this leads to policy changes to better protect innocent bystanders.