Columbia Heights resident Ed Higgins was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Feb. 5 and transported to the Whipple Federal Building before being released later that evening.
In a written statement posted Feb. 5, Higgins said he was driving through Sunnyside Mobile Home Park at approximately 2 p.m. when he saw three vehicles he believed belonged to ICE agents. He said he identified the vehicles based on what he described as prior confirmations from community members over the previous two weeks and sounded his horn to alert residents.
Higgins wrote that as he drove uphill, another vehicle approached downhill at high speed and stopped directly in front of him. He said he attempted to maneuver to the right, at which point the vehicles made contact and their side mirrors scraped.
He said he accelerated away because he feared for his safety. Higgins wrote that multiple vehicles then pursued him from 47th and Central to 41st and Central, attempting to cut him off. During the pursuit, he called 911 and told dispatchers he feared for his life.
Higgins said he turned into the Columbia Heights Police Department parking lot and drove around attempting to attract attention from officers before stopping. He wrote that agents then boxed in his vehicle.
In his statement, Higgins alleged that agents exited their vehicles with firearms drawn and issued conflicting commands while he remained inside his locked vehicle.
He further alleged that an agent attempted to break his driver-side window with a tool before retrieving what he described as a framing hammer and striking the window. Higgins said the situation was de-escalated when Scott Mueller of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension arrived.
Higgins alleged the incident was connected to his social media activity. In a Feb. 7 Facebook post, he called one agent a liar and claimed another individual attempted to strike his vehicle.
Video posted by the Heights Pride account shows Higgins being handcuffed outside a gray minivan. In the video, Higgins can be heard stating he is a political representative and calling the arrest political targeting.
Columbia Heights Council Member Rachel James, who confirmed her identity in the video to ABC Newspapers, can be seen asking Columbia Heights police officers to monitor the situation and requesting an incident commander.
In the footage, a federal agent approaches the camera and references what she says was a Facebook post in which Higgins allegedly made a threatening statement. The screenshot referenced is not visible in the video.
Public parking lot surveillance footage obtained by ABC Newspapers shows Higgins’ vehicle entering the police department lot at approximately 1:30 p.m., followed by three vehicles that position around him. Several individuals exit and approach the van. A bystander and a Columbia Heights police officer approach from the left side of the frame.
Additional vehicles arrive over the next several minutes. By approximately 1:46 p.m., two federal vehicles depart the lot. Higgins’ van remains, with officers standing nearby.
Higher-quality footage later reposted on Facebook by Mercado Media and Higgins shows Higgins maneuvering in the lot before stopping as one vehicle pulls in front of him. Agents then exit their vehicles and approach with firearms visible.
A “Defend Ed” rally was held outside the Whipple Federal Building later that evening. Higgins was released during the rally.
ICE has not issued a public statement addressing the incident and ICE has not yet responded to requests for comment from ABC Newspapers.