While covering protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that were ignited by a shooting involving a federal ICE officer, a CNN news team was subjected to flashbangs and tear gas on January 14, 2026.
Whitney Wild, a CNN reporter, along with her crew, found themselves amidst the disarray as the protests escalated in response to the federal officer’s shooting. Shimon Prokupecz, a senior crime and justice reporter for CNN, was also near a tear gas canister that exploded during another live broadcast on the 15th.
As reported by CNN, the tear gas made the environment so hazy that Whitney got separated from her cameraman, Jonathan Schaer, and producer, exemplifying the conditions caused by the tear gas.
The shooting incident involving a federal officer incited immediate public protests in Minneapolis. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the occurrence, but the particulars of the shooting are still under investigation.
ICE, an agency within DHS, has been executing enforcement operations nationwide. These operations have often been the cause of public protests in various cities, with Minneapolis being the most recent one where the tension between protesters and law enforcement has escalated.
Flashbangs and tear gas are standard crowd control methods used by law enforcement during protests deemed to be a safety threat. Flashbangs, or stun grenades, generate a blinding flash of light and loud noise to temporarily disorient people. Tear gas, a chemical compound, irritates the eyes and respiratory system, forcing people to vacate the affected area.
A Minneapolis family found themselves in the crossfire between ICE agents and protesters while driving home on Wednesday.
Shawn and Destiny Jackson were returning from their son’s basketball game with their six children. They had stopped to buy groceries and, after leaving the store, they followed their usual route home along Lyndale.
As the situation became chaotic, the officers deployed tear gas and flashbang devices close to their location.
“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,” said Destiny Jackson.
Destiny recounted how bystanders rushed them into a nearby house when she realized their six-month-old was still in the car. She screamed that she had more children outside, and people ran to her car to rescue the rest of them. The last child brought in appeared lifeless, with foam around his mouth and tears in his eyes. An ambulance arrived eventually and transported them to the hospital, according to Destiny.
Exposure to crowd control measures like these has become a professional risk for journalists covering civil unrest. News teams generally wear protective gear when they anticipate these tactics, but their sudden deployment can catch reporters off guard, especially when they are amidst the crowds.
The incident where Whitney Wild was separated from her cameraman underscores the challenges journalists face while covering turbulent situations. Maintaining visual and physical contact is necessary for camera operators and on-air reporters for continued broadcasting, but the dense fog from tear gas can hinder visibility and disrupt their safety and documentation efforts.
Minneapolis, with its complex history of federal law enforcement operations and protests, has been the epicenter of numerous demonstrations in recent years. The tension between different communities and law enforcement agencies remains palpable. Shootings involving federal officers often lead to larger crowd reactions and more intense responses than regular local police matters.
ICE enforcement operations have stirred controversy across the U.S., with supporters arguing that the agency is simply enforcing immigration laws and critics arguing that their tactics are overly aggressive. These operations often lead to public demonstrations, especially when the use of force, particularly shootings, takes place.
The media’s presence at protests plays a vital role in documenting the activities of protesters and the response of law enforcement. However, journalists are increasingly finding themselves in perilous situations while covering these events, even when identifiable as media. Press credentials do not always protect reporters from the crowd control measures employed over extensive areas.
The effects of tear gas can linger, especially in areas with limited air circulation or where multiple canisters have been deployed. The fog that separated Wild from her cameraman would have made it challenging to maintain contact, navigate the area safely, and continue reporting.
News organizations invest substantial resources in training their field teams to operate safely in hostile environments, but the unpredictable nature of protests and law enforcement responses often requires reporters to make immediate decisions about their positioning and safety. The experience of the CNN crew in Minneapolis highlights the risks journalists undertake when covering civil unrest and federal law enforcement operations.
U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez issued a preliminary injunction on Friday, January 16, prohibiting federal immigration officers partaking in Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis from detaining or using tear gas, pepper spray, flashbangs, and other crowd-control munitions against peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities.
This injunction, resulting from a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Minnesota on behalf of six activists, explicitly protects demonstrators and bystanders who are observing and recording immigration enforcement operations. It also prohibits vehicle stops of drivers lawfully following officers at an appropriate distance. DHS was given 72 hours to comply, but a DHS spokesperson countered by stating the agency is taking measures to protect officers from what it termed as “dangerous rioters.”
The injunction follows escalating tensions after the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by an ICE agent on January 7, which has sparked weeks of protests in the Twin Cities area.
