In brief
The Jackson family, while driving home from a basketball game, unwittingly drove into a volatile protest area in Minneapolis. After an officer deployed a tear gas canister under their vehicle, the family became engulfed in toxic fumes, requiring urgent medical attention. The incident highlights the chaotic environment surrounding ongoing protests against immigration enforcement actions.
MINNEAPOLIS (MetaWorld News) — A Minneapolis couple, the Jacksons, found themselves caught in a dangerous situation during a protest this week, as an officer inadvertently rolled a tear gas canister under their SUV, releasing toxic fumes that required emergency medical treatment for them and several of their six children, including an infant.
The incident took place as the family was returning home from a middle school basketball game. Destiny Jackson, 26, recounted how they encountered a blocked street with protests and federal officers in the area, unaware of the escalating tension. After realizing her mother was nearby in the protest, Jackson attempted to convince her to leave, when suddenly chaos ensued around them.
Describing the scene, Jackson noticed the atmosphere growing tense as flash-bang grenades echoed, and smoke filled the air. After waiting for what seemed like the right moment to escape, an officer unexpectedly deployed the canister under their vehicle. The explosion caused the airbags to deploy, and the family was engulfed in gas, leading to panic as their children cried out they couldn't breathe.
Rushing to get her children out of the car, Jackson was alarmed to find her 6-month-old son unresponsive. First responders quickly arrived to assist, with reports indicating that the infant was experiencing respiratory distress. Local authorities managed to navigate through the chaos to provide care, and the child was stabilized before being transported to the hospital.
Overall, Jackson and three of her children, including the infant, received hospital treatment due to the gas exposure. This incident highlights the potential dangers faced by families in the vicinity of civil unrest, especially during heightened enforcement actions regarding immigration.
A spokeswoman from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that the actions of the officers were aimed at addressing alleged rioters and did not target the Jacksons specifically. Meanwhile, Destiny Jackson shared that since posting about the incident online, she has received disturbing threats and messages, though she insists on focusing on her family's safety and intentions.
