A CNN news crew was hit with flashbangs and tear gas on January 15, 2026, while covering protests that erupted in Minneapolis following a shooting involving a federal officer.
Whitney Wild, a CNN reporter, and her crew were caught in the chaos as demonstrations unfolded in response to the incident involving the federal officer. The situation escalated when crowd control measures were deployed in the area where the CNN team was working.
According to CNN’s report, at one point it became so foggy that the reporter was separated from her photographer, describing the conditions created by the tear gas deployment.
The shooting involving a federal officer sparked immediate public reaction in Minneapolis, bringing protesters to the streets. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed details about the incident, though the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
ICE, which operates under DHS, has been conducting enforcement operations across the country. The federal agency’s activities have increasingly become flashpoints for public demonstrations in various cities, with Minneapolis being the latest location where tensions between protesters and law enforcement have escalated.
The use of flashbangs and tear gas represents standard crowd control tactics employed by law enforcement when protests are deemed to pose safety concerns or when officers need to disperse crowds. Flashbangs, also known as stun grenades, produce a blinding flash of light and loud noise designed to temporarily disorient people in the immediate vicinity. Tear gas, a chemical compound that irritates the eyes and respiratory system, forces people to leave the affected area.
A Minneapolis family says they were driving home Wednesday when they suddenly found themselves between ICE agents and demonstrators.
Shawn and Destiny Jackson say they were heading back with their six children after their son’s basketball game and had stopped to pick up groceries. After leaving the store, they say they turned onto Lyndale, following their usual route home.
They report that once the scene grew disorderly, officers deployed crowd-control tools nearby, including tear gas and flashbang devices.
“The one that actually exploded up under the car, I watched them throw it, I seen the sparks, and it went, I was looking out the window, and just seen the sparks coming, and it hit the ground and it rolled,” Destiny Jackson said.
Destiny says bystanders brought them into a nearby home when she realized their youngest, only six months old, was still in the car. Destiny said she had been screaming that she had more children still outside, and that people were running to her car trying to grab the rest of them. She explained that the last child brought in appeared lifeless, with foam around his mouth and tears coming from his eyes. According to Destiny, an ambulance eventually arrived and brought them to the hospital.
For journalists covering civil unrest, exposure to these crowd control measures has become an occupational hazard. News crews typically wear protective equipment when covering protests where such tactics might be deployed, though the sudden use of these measures can catch reporters off guard, particularly when they are positioned among crowds.
The separation of Wild from her photographer highlights one of the practical challenges journalists face when covering volatile situations. Camera operators and on-air reporters must maintain visual and physical contact to continue broadcasting, but dense fog from tear gas can make it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead. This disruption can compromise both the safety of the news team and their ability to document events as they unfold.
Minneapolis has a complex history with federal law enforcement operations and protests. The city became a focal point for demonstrations in recent years, and tensions between various communities and law enforcement agencies continue to simmer. When federal officers are involved in shootings, these incidents often draw larger crowds and more intense responses than routine local police matters.
ICE enforcement operations have generated controversy in cities across the United States, with supporters arguing the agency fulfills its mandate to enforce immigration laws and critics contending that its tactics are too aggressive. When these operations result in incidents involving use of force, particularly shootings, they frequently trigger public demonstrations.
The presence of news media at protests serves a critical public interest function, documenting both the actions of protesters and the response of law enforcement. However, journalists increasingly find themselves in dangerous positions as they work to cover these events. Press credentials and visible identification as media do not always protect reporters from being affected by crowd control measures deployed across broad areas.
DHS oversees multiple federal law enforcement agencies, including ICE, Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Protective Service. When incidents occur involving officers from these agencies, DHS typically coordinates the official response and information release. The department’s confirmation of details regarding the Minneapolis shooting indicates federal authorities are actively monitoring the situation.
The conditions created by tear gas deployment can persist for extended periods, particularly in areas with limited air circulation or when multiple canisters are used. The fog that separated Wild from her photographer would have made it difficult not only to maintain contact but also to safely navigate the area and continue reporting on the unfolding events.
News organizations invest significant resources in training their field teams to operate safely in hostile environments, but the unpredictable nature of protests and law enforcement responses means reporters often must make split-second decisions about their positioning and safety. The experience of the CNN crew in Minneapolis underscores the risks journalists accept when covering civil unrest and federal law enforcement operations.