By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A Minneapolis mother says a routine drive home with her family turned into a medical emergency after tear gas filled their vehicle near an ICE-related protest, sending several of her children to the hospital and leaving her 6-month-old baby unresponsive.
Destiny Jackson, a 26-year-old African American mother, said she and her husband were driving home Wednesday night after their middle schooler’s basketball game when they encountered a blocked street in north Minneapolis near the site of an earlier federal law enforcement shooting connected to an attempted arrest.
Jackson told WLBT that the area initially appeared calm, with people standing around and no visible signs of danger. When she noticed her mother nearby, the family stopped and spent about 20 to 30 minutes trying to convince her to leave.
“I was just trying to get her to go home,” Jackson said. “I’ve only seen these things on TV. Some end well, some don’t.”
The situation escalated quickly. Jackson said she began hearing flash-bang grenades and saw smoke in the air as protesters moved into the street. Federal officers ordered people to clear the area.
When the family attempted to leave, Jackson said officers walked past their SUV. Believing it was safe, they waited for traffic to clear. Moments later, she said, a tear gas canister was rolled under their vehicle.
The canister discharged, triggering airbags and filling the SUV with tear gas. Jackson said her children began crying and struggling to breathe. As she rushed to get everyone out, she realized her 6-month-old son was not moving.
Emergency crews were dispatched after reports of a baby having difficulty breathing. According to CNN, a family member performed CPR, reviving the infant before paramedics arrived. Fire officials said the baby was breathing but in serious condition when taken to the hospital.
Jackson said she, her husband, and three of their children — including the infant, a 7-year-old and an 11-year-old — were treated and later released.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said officers were responding to rioters and did not intentionally target the family.
After sharing her experience online, Jackson said she began receiving threats and hateful messages. Still, she said her focus remains on her children and their recovery.
“We were just trying to get home safely,” Jackson said.