Federal prosecutors have charged a Minneapolis man after an assault rifle and other law enforcement gear were stolen from an FBI vehicle during unrest that followed a nonfatal shooting involving immigration officers.
How the Unrest Started
Tensions in Minneapolis were already running high after the Jan. 7 death of Renee Nicole Good, who was killed by an ICE agent. One week later, on Jan. 14, ICE agents carried out what authorities described as a targeted traffic stop to arrest a Venezuelan national. Investigators say the suspect violently assaulted the officers during the arrest, prompting two bystanders to join in using a snow shovel and a broom handle. An ICE agent shot the suspect in the leg, and the individual was taken to a nearby hospital.
That shooting triggered unrest in the surrounding neighborhood, with protests escalating into chaotic scenes. Amid the disorder, FBI agents retreated from the area, leaving behind at least one bureau vehicle.
What Was Taken From the FBI Vehicle
According to authorities, suspects forced open a standard law enforcement gun vault located in the vehicle’s trunk. The stolen items included a laptop, a Glock handgun, pistol ammunition, body armor, a handheld radio, and a rifle bag. Inside that bag was a Colt M16 rifle fitted with a suppressor.
Identifying a Suspect
Surveillance footage captured one suspect removing the rifle bag from the vehicle. Investigators later identified the individual as 33-year-old Raul Gutierrez of Minneapolis, in part through a distinctive face tattoo. According to authorities, Gutierrez admitted to taking the rifle bag but claimed it was immediately taken from him by two unidentified men.
Court records show Gutierrez has prior felony convictions for domestic assault by strangulation, burglary, and reckless discharge of a firearm — meaning he’s legally barred from possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Civilians are also barred from purchasing newly manufactured M16 rifles regardless of criminal history.
The Case Against Gutierrez
Federal prosecutors allege Gutierrez tried to downplay his awareness of the weapon during questioning by claiming he didn’t know what was inside the case. He now faces federal charges tied to the theft and possession of the firearm; as with any pending case, the allegations against him have not yet been proven in court.
Authorities have not said who breached the gun vault itself or how it was opened, and the FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to further arrests connected to the theft.
All parties are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
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