A traffic stop in St. Paul escalated Sunday when DHS says Juan Carlos Rodrigues Romero fled, struck ICE officers and vehicles with his SUV, and resisted arrest. An ICE officer fired two "defensive shots" after being struck; DHS reports no one was hit. Romero allegedly bit an officer during the struggle and is now in ICE custody; officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The incident has intensified debate over ICE tactics, use-of-force policies and federal-local coordination.
ICE Agent Fires 'Defensive Shots' After SUV Strikes Officers During St. Paul Arrest
Images posted to X by the Department of Homeland Security show damage to vehicles after an incident involving ICE in St. Paul, Minnesota. - from DHS/X
Immigration officers in St. Paul, Minnesota, say a routine traffic stop escalated into a violent confrontation Sunday after an undocumented man allegedly struck federal agents with his SUV. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), one agent fired two "defensive shots" during the pursuit; DHS says no one was hit by the rounds.
What Happened
DHS identified the suspect as Juan Carlos Rodrigues Romero, an undocumented Cuban national. Agency officials say the encounter began when ICE agents attempted to detain Romero during a stop. Romero declined to lower his window after repeated orders, prompting officers to warn they would break the window if he did not comply.
Juan Carlos Rodrigues Romero is seen in this image posted to X by ICE. - from ICE/X
When Romero drove away, DHS says a pursuit ensued. During the chase he allegedly struck one ICE officer with his vehicle, hit two parked cars and then rammed an ICE vehicle, striking a second officer. After that collision, an officer who had been struck fired two rounds from his service weapon; DHS says none of the bullets struck anyone.
Apprehension and Injuries
Romero is alleged to have rammed another ICE vehicle before abandoning his car and attempting to flee toward his apartment on foot. Officers say they brought him to the ground after he "continued to violently resist arrest and bit one of the officers." The involved officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were evaluated at a nearby hospital. Romero was also evaluated and remains in ICE custody pending additional charges.
Marimar Martinez poses on November 21 in Chicago. - Leonel Mendez/CNN
Local Reaction and Broader Context
Saint Paul Police said they arrived after the incident and confirmed a federal agent had been struck and had discharged his weapon; they emphasized that no Saint Paul officers were involved in the arrest or use of force. The episode has renewed scrutiny of ICE tactics and prompted questions about coordination between federal and local law enforcement.
“We have been training our officers for the last five years very, very intensely on de-escalation,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said at a news conference. “But unfortunately, that is not, that is often not what we are seeing from other agencies in the city.”
Why This Matters
Traffic stops and vehicle pursuits are among the most volatile law-enforcement encounters, and aggressive immigration enforcement in recent months has produced several high-profile incidents that raise concerns about use of force and investigative transparency. DHS says agents have faced increasingly aggressive behavior in the field, while critics point to controversial tactics such as precision immobilization (PIT) maneuvers and call for clearer oversight and interagency coordination.
CNN has reached out to ICE for additional comment. The investigation and any potential charges against Romero are pending.
