Independent journalist and conservative content creator Nick Sortor says he was robbed of a $1,000 camera and briefly dragged by a car after attempting to pursue the alleged thief in Minneapolis’ Cedar-Riverside neighborhood on January 18, 2026, during a period of heightened anti-ICE protests and unrest. Sortor posted video and commentary on social media claiming a woman took the camera and fled in a vehicle, dragging him briefly when his hand got caught in the door handle. The FBI’s Rapid Response team acknowledged the situation and indicated an investigation is underway.
The full circumstances, including identity of the suspect, the exact sequence of events, injuries, and law enforcement findings, are still being clarified as of this writing.
What Happened — Sequence of the Incident
Alleged Theft and Pursuit
According to social media posts and accompanying video clips shared by Sortor and fellow content creator Cam Higby, the incident unfolded around early evening on January 18, 2026, in the Cedar-Riverside area of Minneapolis — a neighborhood with one of the city’s largest East African communities.
- Sortor says he was in his vehicle when a woman reached in and snatched his $1,000 camera from his hands.
- He immediately exited the car and pursued on foot, attempting to retrieve his equipment.
- As the suspect entered a red Kia sedan and began driving away, Sortor’s hand became caught in the door handle.
- The vehicle accelerated along a snowy or icy sidewalk, dragging him for several feet before he eventually freed himself.
Sortor later posted that bystanders did not intervene and he sustained scraping injuries to his hand or arm, though he did not provide a detailed medical status.
Bystanders and Aftermath
Footage from the scene shows people standing nearby and shouting during the incident, with at least one bystander portrayed in the video confronting Sortor verbally after the vehicle fled.
Sortor and Higby also say they were later surrounded by a crowd that told them to leave the area, and that the situation was chaotic enough that multiple people did not come to their aid while the theft and dragging took place.
FBI Involvement and Public Response
Shortly after Sortor shared video and commentary about the theft and dragging incident, the FBI Rapid Response account on X (formerly Twitter) responded to his post with the phrase “We’re on it.”
This brief public acknowledgment suggests the FBI is aware of the situation and monitoring or investigating, although no formal statements from the FBI or local law enforcement about arrests, charges, or confirmed suspect identity have been released at the time of this article.
Neither Minneapolis Police Department nor Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office had, as of the latest reports, issued official press releases detailing charges linked to this specific robbery and dragging event.
Who Is Nick Sortor?
Content Creator and Field Reporter
Nicholas (Nick) Sortor describes himself on social media as an independent journalist and conservative content creator who often covers protests, immigration-related demonstrations, and clashes between activists and law enforcement.
He has previously documented other incidents in Minneapolis and other cities that have drawn national attention. Sortor’s presence at large protests — including in Portland, Oregon, in prior years — has sometimes led to confrontations, though verified reporting on his role in earlier scuffles varies.
Minneapolis Unrest and Anti-ICE Protests Context
The city has seen heightened tensions and protests following a series of high-profile immigration enforcement actions and the death of a woman, Renee Nicole Good, who was shot by a federal agent earlier in January ― an event that spurred broader demonstrations and criticism of enforcement tactics.
These protests have occasionally spilled into heated confrontations involving demonstrators on both sides of the immigration debate, though official data on injuries, arrests, or verified suspect confrontations remains limited.
Sortor and collaborators are among several independent content creators who have been capturing aspects of the unrest, which has attracted national attention and polarized commentary online.
The Vehicle, Online Speculation, and Suspect Identity
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, online users shared speculation about the vehicle’s license plate (reported as a red Kia with plate ZKG 007) and associated individuals who might be connected to the getaway car.
At least one social feed linked that plate to a local business entity, but these claims have not been verified by law enforcement and should be treated cautiously until confirmed by official sources.
Authorities have not publicly identified the alleged suspect, and media outlets have reported only based on Sortor’s own social media descriptions of the person as a woman of Somali descent.
Minneapolis Safety Debate and Broader Reactions
Public Debate on Safety and Protests
The incident has quickly become part of a wider online debate over urban safety, immigration, and protest dynamics in Minneapolis. Pro-Sortor posts have framed the event as evidence of danger faced by independent journalists and as a symbol of lawlessness in certain protest areas.
Meanwhile, critics and some community voices emphasize that many aspects of the narrative come from one side’s social media content, and that broader verification — including police statements or independently sourced footage — is lacking or incomplete. (no authoritative news report yet available)
What is clear is that the event occurred amid intense local tensions and has drawn attention far beyond Minneapolis due to Sortor’s online following and the emotionally charged context.
What Law Enforcement Has Said — So Far
At the time of this reporting:
- The FBI publicly responded to Sortor’s social media post, indicating awareness but issuing no formal case details.
- Minneapolis police have not released an official statement confirming arrests, charges, or verified suspect identity linked specifically to Sortor’s account. (no authoritative source found)
- No public court filings or police reports have been posted yet that outline charges in direct connection to the alleged theft and dragging incident. (verification gap)
The absence of official law enforcement confirmation at press time underscores the need for caution in interpreting evolving social media narratives.
Verified Facts vs. Unconfirmed Claims
To be clear:
Verified so far:
- Sortor says his camera was taken during an incident in Minneapolis and that he was temporarily dragged.
- Sortor’s video is circulating online.
- The FBI’s Rapid Response account acknowledged the post.
Unverified or not independently confirmed:
- Identity of the suspect or suspects.
- Arrests or charges connected to the alleged robbery.
- Motives or context beyond Sortor’s descriptions.
- Characterizations of bystanders or protest groups.
This distinction is crucial given that much of the early narrative is rooted in first-party social media posts and commentary rather than corroborated police or prosecution sources.
Conclusion — A Complex Incident in a Larger Storm
The widely shared video and social media posts about Nick Sortor being robbed of his $1,000 camera and dragged briefly by a fleeing vehicle in Minneapolis have ignited a broader conversation about safety, protests, and law enforcement responses in a city already under strain from high-profile immigration enforcement and community demonstrations.
At its core, what can be stated with confidence is that:
- A reported altercation occurred that led to Sortor losing his camera and being physically dragged by a vehicle.
- The FBI acknowledged awareness of the event, hinting at an ongoing inquiry.
- No law enforcement agency has yet issued a full report confirming the identities of those involved or formal charges.
As this develops, authoritative updates from Minneapolis police or the FBI will be key to separating verified facts from early, social-media-driven narratives — and to understanding the full context behind a headline-grabbing confrontation.
