Federal authorities have arrested a Latin Kings gang member in connection with the theft of an FBI rifle from a federal vehicle during unrest in Minneapolis on Wednesday night
The unrest erupted after a federal immigration agent shot a Venezuelan man in the leg during an enforcement operation. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents attempted to stop the man’s vehicle as part of Operation Metro Surge, a federal effort to apprehend individuals with deportation orders and criminal records.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the man fled the stop, crashed into another vehicle, and then two associates attacked the agent with a snow shovel and broom handle, prompting the agent to fire in self-defense. The Venezuelan man sustained a non-life-threatening injury to his leg and was taken into custody along with his associates.
Hundreds of demonstrators soon flooded the site of shooting, where they were met with tear gas and flash bangs from federal agents, including riot police with the federal Bureau of Prisons. While most rioters were pushed back, acts of vandalism and theft occurred away from police lines.
In one documented case, individuals broke into what was identified as an FBI vehicle before forcing open a weapons locker in the trunk using a tow rope attached to a pickup truck. They removed a rifle, ammunition, and other equipment before driving away in a black Ford Taurus.
Additional items taken from vehicles included sensitive documents such as arrest warrants and personal details of federal agents, including names, phone numbers, and email addresses, which were read aloud during live streams by some participants. Reports indicated a significant increase in assaults on ICE officers during the unrest, with federal authorities noting multiple vehicles from agencies like ICE, DHS, and the FBI were damaged.
The Minneapolis Police Department assisted in securing the scenes, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension collected evidence for further investigation.
The FBI announced a reward for information leading to the recovery of stolen items and the identification of those responsible for the vandalism. Local officials, including Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, confirmed that federal agencies were leading the probes into the property crimes.
In response, President Donald Trump mentioned the possibility of invoking the Insurrection Act to deploy military forces if the situation did not de-escalate.
On Thursday, federal authorities arrested Raul Gutierrez, a 33-year-old resident of Minneapolis, in connection with the rifle theft. Gutierrez, identified as a member of the Latin Kings gang, has a prior criminal history involving violent offenses.
Video footage captured during the unrest by on-the-ground journalist Nick Sortor showed his distinctive facial tattoos and the license plate of the getaway vehicle, which aided in his quick identification. The arrest was carried out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) pursuant to a federal warrant.
Gutierrez faces felony charges for the theft of a firearm from a government vehicle. Sortor told Fox News that he coordinated with DOJ officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, to verify details of the arrest.
Additional arrests related to the unrest included Georgio James-Jones, who has been charged with willful destruction of government property for allegedly smashing windows at the Minneapolis Courthouse during an earlier protest. FBI Director Kash Patel stated that any attacks on law enforcement or interference with federal operations would be met with accountability.
As of Thursday evening, the stolen rifle and ammunition have not been recovered. Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.
