Man Seen Carrying What Appears To Be High-Powered Firearm In Minneapolis Amid Violent ICE Protests

A man in downtown Minneapolis was seen holding what looks like a high-powered firearm in a photo taken by the Daily Caller News Foundation Saturday as anti-ICE riots continue to grow more violent.

🚨SPOTTED in downtown Minneapolis. pic.twitter.com/u7akZtdz1A

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 17, 2026

Attacks on journalists and ICE agents have mounted over the past week including a mob attack last Sunday on independent journalists Nick Sortor and Cam Higby, causing them to flee, and an ambush that put an agent in the hospital Wednesday. A member of the Latin Kings allegedly broke into a supporting FBI vehicle making off with a rifle before being arrested, reported FOX9 KMSP.

Outside the ICE headquarters in Minneapolis, a crowd has continued to grow according to Daily Caller News Foundation Reporter Jorge Ventura. The Pentagon has prepared 1,500 troops for potential deployment to Minneapolis to curb protests that have taken a violent turn, according to The Washington Post. (RELATED: Provocateur Who Threatened To Burn Quran Allegedly Stabbed By Minnesota Rioters)

Footage taken Saturday by Ventura captured an anti-ICE protestor using a flagpole to assault a counterprotestor.

Regular clashes between anti-ICE and counter-protesters has resulted in further police presence on the streets. Around 30 protest-related arrests have been made since Jan. 7 according to a Minneapolis Police Department spokesperson in a statement to the Daily Caller.

Minneapolis SWAT eventually responded to the remaining anti-ICE protesters to clear them out of the street and onto the sidewalk. After a tense standoff and pushing the crowd away from the SWAT vehicles, the officers withdrew from the area. pic.twitter.com/kNL2cHiS3c

— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) January 17, 2026

The City of Minneapolis responded with a video calling for “peaceful protest” and featuring anti-ICE signs in the background. Protests erupted after the shooting death of Renee Good who allegedly attempted to run over an ICE agent with her car Jan. 7.