MINNEAPOLIS (Quantum News) — In an unfortunate incident this week, the Jackson family from Minneapolis experienced terror when a federal officer inadvertently targeted their family during a local protest. While driving home after a middle school basketball game, they stumbled upon a tense situation where federal officers were present, responding to demonstrations against the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown.
Destiny Jackson explained that it all seemed relatively calm at first, prompting her to stop and check on her mother who was nearby. As the atmosphere became charged with tension, she attempted to convince her mother to leave the area. However, as the situation escalated with the sounds of flash-bang grenades in the distance, a decision to drive away was made. It was during this moment of attempting to leave that they became victims of a severe response by federal officers.
Unbeknownst to them, an officer rolled a tear gas canister beneath their SUV. Shortly after the loud boom and the deployment of the vehicle's airbags, toxic fumes flooded the inside of the car, overwhelming the family. Jackson described the chaos within the vehicle, with her children crying out and gasping for air, particularly her 6-month-old son, who appeared unresponsive at one point.
Emergency services received urgent calls regarding an infant in respiratory distress. Upon reaching the scene, they worked through the crowd to render help. The baby was stabilized but subsequently transported to a hospital in serious condition. Jackson, her husband, and three of their children were also treated for exposure to irritants.
In a statement regarding the incident, Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, insisted that the officers were not targeting innocent individuals but were responding to what they labeled as “rioters and agitators.”
Since the incident, Destiny Jackson has faced a wave of harassment online, including threats and hateful messages, yet she remains resolute in sharing her story, emphasizing her family's innocence and her intent to simply navigate home safely.
Destiny Jackson explained that it all seemed relatively calm at first, prompting her to stop and check on her mother who was nearby. As the atmosphere became charged with tension, she attempted to convince her mother to leave the area. However, as the situation escalated with the sounds of flash-bang grenades in the distance, a decision to drive away was made. It was during this moment of attempting to leave that they became victims of a severe response by federal officers.
Unbeknownst to them, an officer rolled a tear gas canister beneath their SUV. Shortly after the loud boom and the deployment of the vehicle's airbags, toxic fumes flooded the inside of the car, overwhelming the family. Jackson described the chaos within the vehicle, with her children crying out and gasping for air, particularly her 6-month-old son, who appeared unresponsive at one point.
Emergency services received urgent calls regarding an infant in respiratory distress. Upon reaching the scene, they worked through the crowd to render help. The baby was stabilized but subsequently transported to a hospital in serious condition. Jackson, her husband, and three of their children were also treated for exposure to irritants.
In a statement regarding the incident, Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, insisted that the officers were not targeting innocent individuals but were responding to what they labeled as “rioters and agitators.”
Since the incident, Destiny Jackson has faced a wave of harassment online, including threats and hateful messages, yet she remains resolute in sharing her story, emphasizing her family's innocence and her intent to simply navigate home safely.
