Minnesota police say vehicle believed to be pursued by federal agents crashed downtown, protests ensue

A vehicle that was reportedly being pursued by federal agents crashed in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Wednesday, leaving one person with non-life-threatening injuries.

St. Paul Police said on Wednesday that officers were called to the intersection of Western and Selby Avenues at approximately 9:39 a.m. to respond to a vehicle crash. The department added that “it was reported that a large crowd had formed.”

“The preliminary information we received was that federal agents were pursuing a person in a vehicle when the vehicle crashed,” St. Paul Police said in a statement. “The person that was being pursued sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Saint Paul Fire medics.”

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A witness who spoke to Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity said there were approximately three or four cars involved in the crash and that there was a “huge protest” happening in the parking lot. Additionally, the person who spoke with Fox News Digital said she knew two of the people whose cars were involved and that one had just gone to grab a coffee at a local spot, while the other worked nearby.

“On February 11, ICE officers attempted to conduct a targeted vehicle stop of Alexander Romero-Avila, an illegal alien from Honduras RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration in 2022,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital. “In a dangerous attempt to resist arrest, this illegal alien tried to evade law enforcement and began driving recklessly and ran red lights, endangering public safety and law enforcement.”

“Romero-Avila crashed his vehicle into multiple vehicles and a ICE law enforcement vehicle. Law enforcement immediately called 911 to get medical assistance. No members of the public or ICE officers were injured in the crash. The illegal alien was taken to Regents Hospital for evaluation of injuries,” McLaughlin added. 
 

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“These dangerous attempts to evade arrest have surged since sanctuary politicians have encouraged illegal aliens to evade arrest and provided guides advising illegal aliens how to recognize ICE, block entry, and defy arrest. Our officers are now facing a 3,200% increase in vehicle attacks,” McLaughlin said.

Tensions between federal agents and locals in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area have flared for more than a month following the Jan. 7, 2026, fatal shooting of Renee Good. This was followed by the Jan. 24 fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, also at the hands of federal agents. Both deaths sparked protests and criticism from Minnesota leadership of the Trump administration’s handling of its illegal immigration crackdown in the state.

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Border czar Tom Homan, who recently took over operations in the state, was aiming to deescalate the situation and even removed 700 immigration officers from the mission.