Two Oklahoma bounty hunters were charged in Hennepin County, Minnesota, following a March 3, 2026 incident in downtown Minneapolis involving alleged replica firearms and pepper-ball launchers during a fugitive apprehension operation. The confrontation occurred during a period of significant unrest and ongoing anti-ICE demonstrations connected to federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. 

The defendants were identified as:

James Reginal Willis, 54, of Ardmore, Oklahoma

Garrett Christopher Willis, 28, of Ardmore, Oklahoma

Both men were charged by local prosecutors with felony counts related to threats of violence and the alleged brandishing of replica firearms.

Background Conditions in Minneapolis

The incident took place during “Operation Metro Surge,” a large-scale federal immigration enforcement operation that had resulted in widespread protests, demonstrations, clashes with law enforcement, and heightened tensions throughout Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

In the weeks leading up to the March 3 confrontation:

• protests had occurred outside the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building,
• roads had reportedly been blocked by aggressive demonstrators,
• objects including rocks, ice chunks, bottles, and debris were allegedly thrown at law enforcement,
• dispersal orders had been issued by authorities,
• and multiple arrests had been made during demonstrations.

Several prior confrontations connected to immigration enforcement operations had also escalated into violence or officer-involved shootings, including incidents involving federal agents and protesters earlier in January 2026.

Media reports described the environment in Minneapolis during this period as highly volatile, with ongoing protests, crowd confrontations, community patrol groups, and anti-ICE activists monitoring suspected enforcement activity throughout the city.

These descriptions, along with the viral videos of the violence in the area set the stage for what the bounty hunters encountered.

Fugitive Apprehension Operation

According to prosecutors, the Oklahoma bounty hunters traveled to Minneapolis to apprehend a fugitive with an active warrant. The apprehension reportedly occurred near East 28th Street and Oakland Avenue in south Minneapolis.

Witnesses and demonstrators reportedly began recording the apprehension with cellphones. Court documents allege one of the bounty hunters displayed a rifle-style weapon during the arrest while directing bystanders to "back away" from the scene.

Following the apprehension, the fugitive was transported to the Hennepin County Jail in downtown Minneapolis. Prosecutors stated additional demonstrators and observers then gathered around the bounty hunters’ vehicle outside the jail facility.

Alleged Use of Replica Weapons

According to charging documents:

• Garrett Willis allegedly pointed what witnesses believed was a Glock-style handgun toward civilians near the vehicle,
• James Willis allegedly exited the van carrying a rifle-style launcher,
• and pepper-ball rounds were allegedly discharged by both men near the feet of individuals gathered outside the jail.

Investigators later stated the weapons involved were believed to be:

Glock-style pepper-ball pistols,

and rifle-style pepper-ball launchers designed to resemble AR-platform rifles or other real firearms.

Court records indicate James Willis later told investigators the team carried:

“pistols modeled after Glock 17s that fired pepper balls,”

and “pepper ball assault rifles.”

Authorities stated witnesses reported the weapons appeared indistinguishable from real firearms. Investigators also alleged smoke and pepper irritants were observed following the discharge of pepper-ball rounds.

Under Minnesota law, statute 906.713 - A person can be charged if they "display, exhibit or brandish" a replica firearm or bb gun in a threatening manner that causes terror or reckless fear in another person.

A possible defense to these allegations is covered under Minnesota's self-defense laws which allows a person to claim self-defense if: 

• they were not the aggressor;
• they honestly believed they faced imminent bodily harm or death;
• their belief was objectively reasonable;
• and there was no opportunity to safely retreat

Therefore, the expected argument in their defense will be if the bounty hunters had an objective belief they were in danger and did they have the opportunity to leave the area and avoid this incident. An argument with some teeth considering the levels of violence we all witnessed on vital videos during this time.

The actual weapons were reportedly never recovered by investigators.

Crowd Conditions and Public Safety Concerns

Reports surrounding the incident describe a chaotic and rapidly evolving environment involving:

• demonstrators,
• anti-ICE activists,
• observers recording events,
• and heightened tensions connected to ongoing federal immigration operations.

Prosecutors stated witnesses reported fearing they were about to be shot during the confrontation. There is no mention of how the bounty hunters felt while being surrounded by potentially violent and aggressive demonstrators.

Law enforcement and media reports from the broader Minneapolis unrest during this period documented multiple incidents involving:

• clashes between demonstrators and police,
• unlawful assembly declarations,
• tear gas deployments,
• projectiles thrown at officers,
• blocked roadways,
• and large crowds gathering around enforcement operations.

The Oklahoma bounty hunter case remains pending in Hennepin County, Minnesota. FugitiveForce staff will be monitoring this case for updates.