Minneapolis family says ICE released tear gas under vehicle with six children inside

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MINNEAPOLIS — A Minneapolis couple says a tear gas canister exploded under their vehicle while their six children sat inside during an encounter with ICE officers in the Twin Cities.

Minneapolis Family Says Tear Gas Detonated Beneath Their Car

Shawn and Destiny Jackson were driving home from basketball practice with their children, ages 11, 7, 4-year-old twins, 2, and 6 months. They said they became trapped between protesters and ICE agents as tensions rose in the area.

Destiny Jackson told CBS News officers approached their vehicle and shouted at them to leave. She said she and her husband tried to move but could not drive forward because people stood near the car.

Parents Describe Chaos as Tear Gas Filled Vehicle

According to the family, ICE agents walked behind the vehicle and released a tear gas canister beneath it. The explosion lifted the car, deployed the airbags, and locked the doors.

Tear gas began filling the vehicle. Destiny Jackson said she unlocked the doors by touch and pulled out as many children as she could. Bystanders helped remove the remaining children and brought the family into a nearby home.

Her infant son was the last to be carried inside. She said he was unresponsive and had foam around his mouth. She performed CPR until he regained consciousness.

Three of the children, including the infant, were taken to the hospital by ambulance for treatment.

Children Recovering but Traumatized

The couple wrote on GoFundMe their children are traumatized stating the incident left them shaken and now without a vehicle.

Shawn Jackson told CBS News he grew up respecting law enforcement and never expected an encounter like this. Destiny Jackson said officers could see the children inside the car.

DHS Issues Statement

On Friday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin released a statement to news outlets stating federal officers did not target the family. She said agents followed training and used crowd‑control measures in response to unrest. She described the Jacksons as “victims of rioters and agitators.”

Family Launches GoFundMe for Support

The Jacksons created a GoFundMe to help cover medical costs, replace their vehicle, and support their children while they remain out of work. They wrote that they were innocent bystanders trying to leave the area when the tear gas device detonated under their vehicle and trapped their children inside.

The family said they are grateful to the bystanders who helped them escape and brought them to safety.

To learn more, visit the GoFundMe campaign here.