On January 15, 2026, a CNN news team was subjected to flashbangs and tear gas while reporting on protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota, sparked by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross.
Reporter Whitney Wild and her CNN crew found themselves amidst the turmoil as protests transpired in reaction to the shooting. The situation intensified as crowd control methods were employed near the CNN crew’s location. Simultaneously, Shimon Prokupecz, CNN’s senior crime and justice correspondent, was in close proximity to a detonating tear gas canister during a live broadcast.
As per CNN’s account, the tear gas created such dense fog that Wild ended up losing contact with her photographer.
The shooting by a federal officer triggered an immediate public outcry in Minneapolis, leading to street protests. The Department of Homeland Security has claimed details of the incident, which have been disputed by videos, witnesses, the governor of Minnesota, and the mayor of Minneapolis, and the shooting’s exact circumstances are still under investigation.
ICE, under the jurisdiction of DHS, has been executing enforcement operations nationwide. These operations have become a point of contention, inciting public protests in various cities, including Minneapolis, where interactions between protesters and law enforcement have heightened.
The employment of flashbangs and tear gas is a standard practice for law enforcement to control crowds during protests, when safety concerns arise, or when dispersal of the crowd becomes necessary. Flashbangs or stun grenades emit a blinding light and loud noise to disorient people nearby temporarily. Tear gas, an irritating chemical compound affecting the eyes and the respiratory system, compels people to vacate the area.
A family from Minneapolis reported finding themselves caught between ICE agents and protesters while driving home on Wednesday, January 14.
Shawn and Destiny Jackson were returning home with their six children after their son’s basketball game. They had stopped to buy groceries and were following their usual route home on Lyndale when they encountered the disorderly scene.
They claim that as the situation deteriorated, law enforcement officers used tear gas and flashbangs for crowd control near 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,” recounted Destiny Jackson.
Bystanders helped the family into a nearby house but Destiny realized that their youngest child, just six months old, was still in the car. Destiny said she screamed about her other child still outside, and people ran to her car to retrieve him. She reported that he was brought inside appearing lifeless, with foam around his mouth and tears in his eyes. An ambulance eventually arrived and transported them to the hospital, according to Destiny.
Journalists covering civil disturbances often face the risk of being exposed to these crowd control measures, an occupational hazard. News teams usually wear protective gear at protests where such tactics may be used, but the sudden deployment of these measures can take reporters by surprise, especially when they are in the midst of the crowd.
The incident where Wild lost contact with her photographer underscores the practical challenges journalists face while covering volatile situations. Cameramen and reporters need to maintain visual and physical connection to continue their broadcast; however, the dense fog from tear gas can obstruct visibility, compromising the safety of the news team and their ability to report events accurately.
Minneapolis, Minnesota, has a complicated history with federal law enforcement operations and protests. The city has been a hub for demonstrations in recent years, and the friction between various communities and law enforcement continues.
ICE enforcement operations have stirred controversy nationwide, with proponents arguing that the agency is merely enforcing immigration laws, and critics suggesting their tactics are too forceful. When these operations lead to incidents involving the use of force, particularly shootings, they often incite public protests.
The presence of journalists at protests serves a crucial role in documenting protesters’ actions and the law enforcement response. However, reporters often find themselves in perilous situations when covering these events. Press credentials and clear identification as media do not always shield reporters from the effects of crowd control measures employed across vast areas.
The after-effects of tear gas deployment can linger, especially in areas with restricted air circulation or where multiple canisters have been used. The fog that separated Wild from her photographer would have made it not only challenging to maintain contact but also to navigate the area safely and continue reporting on the developing events.
On Friday, January 16, U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez issued a preliminary injunction preventing federal immigration officers involved 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 ruling, resulting from a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Minnesota on behalf of six activists, explicitly protects protesters and bystanders observing and recording immigration enforcement operations. It also prohibits vehicle stops of drivers legally trailing officers at a safe distance. DHS had 72 hours to comply, though a DHS spokesperson stated that the agency is taking steps to protect officers from what it described as “dangerous rioters.”
