On Wednesday, January 17, 2026, a Minneapolis family driving home from their son’s basketball game was caught in a violent clash between ICE agents and protesters, resulting in the tear-gassing of their vehicle with six children inside. The incident left the 6-month-old infant unconscious and requiring CPR, underscoring the dangerous escalation of federal operations in the city.
Shawn and Destiny Jackson, along with their children aged 6 months to 11 years, were navigating through their North Minneapolis neighborhood when they encountered a protest that had erupted following the recent shooting of a man by an immigration agent. Unaware of the demonstration, they pulled over as parked cars and crowds blocked their path, only to find themselves surrounded by federal officers. The agents, identified as part of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), aggressively ordered the family to leave, but with agents on all sides, they were trapped.
According to the Jacksons, after repeated warnings, officers deployed flash-bang grenades and tear gas canisters directly at their SUV. Within seconds, a loud explosion lifted the car off the ground, deploying airbags and locking the doors automatically. Tear gas quickly filled the interior, creating a suffocating cloud that panicked the children. Destiny Jackson described frantically trying to unlock the doors from the backseat while her husband attempted to escape through the driver’s side.
Bystanders rushed to help, pulling the family from the vehicle and into a nearby home. The youngest child, 6-month-old D’iris, was found lifeless with foam coming from his mouth. Destiny performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR, desperately working to revive him as others poured milk on the other children’s eyes to counter the tear gas effects. The infant eventually regained consciousness but was hospitalized in serious condition along with two asthmatic siblings, all suffering from respiratory issues.
This attack occurs against a backdrop of heightened tensions in Minneapolis, where ICE has deployed additional agents following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother, by an immigration officer earlier this month. Good’s death has sparked ongoing protests, with demonstrators demanding accountability and an end to aggressive federal tactics. The Department of Homeland Security has defended its agents, stating they followed proper procedures and were not targeting the family, while a federal judge has imposed new restrictions on crowd control measures.
The Jackson family is now dealing with the aftermath: their car is totaled, medical bills are mounting, and the children are traumatized, with the older ones asking for an ‘armor-plated’ vehicle for future safety. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support them, highlighting the community’s response to what many see as an unjust use of force. Destiny Jackson has been triggered into panic attacks, and the family struggles to sleep, haunted by the experience.
These incidents raise serious questions about the conduct of ICE agents in residential areas and the broader implications of militarized immigration enforcement. Local officials, including Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, have expressed concern, noting that innocent civilians are being caught in the crossfire. The Trump administration’s expansion of deportation efforts in the Twin Cities has led to increased confrontations, with videos circulating of other alleged abuses by federal officers.
As investigations unfold, the focus turns to whether policy changes will prevent similar tragedies. The community remains on edge, with protests expected to continue, and calls for transparency and reform growing louder. The Jackson family’s ordeal serves as a stark reminder of the human cost when law enforcement operations spill over into everyday life, challenging the balance between security and civil liberties.
