During protests in Minneapolis after a federal immigration agent fatally shot a woman, false claims spread online saying a baby had been shot and killed. These rumors caused fear and anger. Many people, including protesters and bystanders, wanted to know what really happened. The situation was tense and emotional. Because of this, unverified posts spread quickly. This made it even more important to separate real facts from false information.
What Sparked the Rumors
Minneapolis has been tense since a federal immigration officer fatally shot a woman earlier this month, which led to protests near a federal building. During one protest night, federal agents used crowd-control methods like tear gas and noise devices to push people back. Tear gas can cause severe eye irritation and breathing problems, especially for children and others with health risks.
Later that night, social media posts began spreading claims that a baby had been shot or even killed during the protests. These messages spread quickly and caused fear and anger, with some blaming immigration officers. However, no official source, hospital, or city agency has reported that any child was shot or killed. There is no verified evidence that a firearm was used against a child.
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What has been confirmed is that two children, including a six-month-old baby, were taken to the hospital after being exposed to tear gas during the protests. Federal agents deployed tear gas during the demonstrations, and the exposure to the chemical irritant led to the hospital visits. Officials say tear gas, not gunfire, caused the medical issues that brought the children to care.
What Actually Happened
According to city officials, the incident happened on a Wednesday night during protests near a federal building in Minneapolis. Federal agents used tear gas to control the crowd. At the same time, a family with a baby was driving through the area. Their vehicle was hit by tear gas. The gas quickly filled the air inside the car.
The infant began to have trouble breathing. The family rushed to move the baby into a nearby home to escape the gas. Inside the house, the situation became more serious. Reports say the baby briefly stopped breathing. This is a medical emergency for such a young child.
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Firefighters and police officers worked their way through the crowds and gave the baby emergency medical care. Officials later said the infant was breathing again but was in serious condition when taken to the hospital. Another child, whose age was not shared, was also taken to the hospital.
Authorities confirmed both children were hospitalized because of tear gas exposure and not because of any physical attack. They also said no firearms were involved, and confirmed that online claims about a baby being shot or killed are not supported by any verified facts.
What Officials and the Family Said about the Baby
After news spread that two children had been hospitalized, the situation quickly became heated online. A government department posted a message blaming “radical agitators” and warning parents not to bring children to violent protests, suggesting the family was at fault. The post caused strong backlash from the public and was later deleted, as many said it did not match what actually happened.
The family said they were not taking part in the protest and were only trying to drive away from the area when tear gas and loud devices were used nearby. They said the crowd-control tools were deployed close to their vehicle, allowing gas to enter the car and affect their baby. From their point of view, they were simply caught in a dangerous situation while trying to leave.
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City officials focused on the medical facts, confirming that two children, including a six-month-old baby, were hospitalized because of tear gas exposure. They said the infant had breathing trouble after the gas entered the area and the vehicle.
Authorities also made it clear that no firearms were involved and that no baby was shot or killed. They said the confusion came from fast-spreading, unverified claims online during a tense and emotional situation.