Minneapolis erupted into violence on Saturday as a federal officer suffered a horrific injury during escalating protests against immigration enforcement operations.

On Saturday, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin reported via social media that a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officer had a finger bitten off during an altercation with protesters in Minneapolis.

Earlier that day, a Border Patrol agent fatally shot a 37-year-old U.S. citizen from the city who was armed with a 9 mm pistol and two magazines, amid a crowd of about 200 agitators, prompting the Minnesota National Guard to deploy additional troops for support at the request of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Violence Erupts During Minneapolis Protests

McLaughlin’s social media post included a grim photo of the severed finger, alleging that rioters targeted officers in a brazen assault.

She stated, “In Minneapolis, these rioters attacked our law enforcement officer and one of them bit off our HSI officer’s finger,” highlighting the severity of the incident, Fox News reported.

Adding to the tragedy, McLaughlin confirmed, “He will lose his finger,” a stark reminder of the personal cost borne by those enforcing federal mandates.

Photos of two individuals in custody were shared, though it remains unclear who is responsible for the gruesome act, and further details are still pending.

Hours before this incident, tensions had already boiled over when a Border Patrol agent shot and killed an armed local man amid a volatile crowd.

Fatal Shooting Sparks Further Outrage

Homeland Security officials reported the man approached agents and resisted violently, leading to the fatal encounter captured on video.

Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino described the scene at a news conference, saying, “About 200 rioters arrived at the scene and began to obstruct and assault law enforcement,” painting a picture of overwhelming hostility.

Critics of local leadership are pointing fingers at Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara for downplaying the suspect’s possession of a firearm and ammunition, as Bovino accused them of omitting critical facts.

National Guard Steps in for Support

The Minnesota National Guard, already mobilized under Gov. Tim Walz, confirmed additional soldiers will bolster security at key locations like the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building.

They’ll also stand ready to assist the Minnesota State Patrol and other local agencies if needed, a move signaling the gravity of the situation.

While protests in this blue city have intensified following the deaths of two U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement actions, the line between dissent and outright violence seems to have been crossed.