Liz Sawyer
Reporter
Breaking news, crime and correctionsSawyer graduated from Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications with a degree in newspaper and online journalism. She worships her alma mater's college hoops team and thinks an orange is, in fact, a suitable mascot.
Latest from Liz Sawyer
Two Venezuelans, charged with assaulting agents in ICE shooting, re-detained despite judge’s orders
Defense attorneys cited photos, video in challenging the government’s account of when the agent fired a shot that wounded the fleeing suspect.
February 4, 2026
Video reveals confrontation between Alex Pretti and federal agents 11 days before killing
Agents tackled and pinned Pretti to the ground after he kicked out the taillight of their vehicle, according to observers who filmed the encounter.
January 29, 2026
What we know about Alex Pretti, man fatally shot by federal agents
Pretti, an ICU nurse with the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Health Care System, had no criminal record beyond parking tickets.
January 25, 2026
FBI reveals how mistaken identity by ICE led to chase, shooting of Venezuelan immigrant
A federal affidavit details what precipitated the alleged attack on an agent with a broom. The agent fired a single shot, wounding a man who was not the original target.
January 22, 2026
Our reporters answered your questions about the ICE surge in Minnesota
Reporters Liz Sawyer and Susan Du hosted a Q&A on Jan. 21
January 21, 2026
Chaotic protests ensue after federal agent shoots Venezuelan immigrant following car chase, struggle
President Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act and send troops to Minnesota.
January 15, 2026
‘Have y’all not learned?’ Agents accused of getting more aggressive as ICE pushback grows
Local attorneys are fielding dozens of complaints that ICE has wrongfully detained, threatened and physically abused bystanders amid the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
January 15, 2026
In New York Times interview, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara rails against ICE tactics
He fears ICE actions in the Twin Cities are undermining public trust his department has rebuilt and could lead to a “breaking point.”
January 12, 2026
ICE agent who fatally shot woman in Minneapolis was dragged by car in earlier incident
The agent, Jonathan Ross, was injured last year by a fleeing driver during an arrest, according to court records.
January 8, 2026
ICE agent fatally shoots woman in south Minneapolis
Witnesses dispute the federal account that the agent fired “defensive shots” as Minnesota leaders call for independent investigation.
January 7, 2026
Chief O’Hara shakes up Minneapolis police leadership, creates Major Crimes division
The weekend announcement marked a series of sweeping personnel changes, including the replacement of two sitting deputy chiefs.
January 6, 2026
Police investigating overnight burglary of Somali day care in south Minneapolis
The break-in comes in the aftermath of a viral video alleging fraud by several Somali child care centers.
December 31, 2025
