Homeland Security says shooting of federal officers in California 'act of domestic terrorism'

Acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf said alleged 'assassin' in drive-by shooting had fired at officers in Oakland

Police officers stand behind a canister of tear gas during a protest in Oakland, California on 29 May. (Getty Images)

US Department of Homeland Security officials have categorised the killing of a federal contract security officer as an "act of terrorism".

One Federal Protective Service officer died and another is wounded following a drive-by shooting at a federal building in Oakland, California on Friday, according to law enforcement officials.

Their identities have not been released and the suspect has not been named; officials have not clarified whether the shooting was related to a massive protest in Oakland following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Acting DHS secretary Chad Wolf called the alleged shooter an "assassin" who "cowardly shot" the officers "as they stood watch over a protest".

He said the injured officer is in "critical condition fighting for his life".

During a press conference on Saturday, DHS Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli claimed that "there are currently threats by some to attack police stations and federal buildings".

"That violence will not be tolerated," he said. "We're also committed to ensuring that it won't succeed anywhere, and let me be clear, when someone targets a police officer or a police station with an intention to do harm and intimidate — that is an act of domestic terrorism."

FBI officials reported that "an individual inside the vehicle began firing gunshots at contract security officers for the Federal Protective Service of the Department of Homeland Security" as hundreds of protesters were demonstrating in Oakland.

George Floyd death: Minneapolis protests erupt in the streets

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George Floyd death: Minneapolis protests erupt in the streets

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  Police spray mace at protestors to break up a gathering near the Minneapolis Police third precinct after a white police officer was caught on a bystander's video pressing his knee into the neck of African-American man George Floyd, who later died at a hospital, in Minneapolis

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  A protester holds a sign with an image of George Floyd

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  Protesters demonstrate against the death of George Floyd

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  A protester throws a piece of wood on a fire in the street just north of the 3rd Police Precinct

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  People in other US cities also protested the murder, like Los Angeles

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  A police officer lobs a canister to break up crowds

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  A protester is treated after inhaling tear gas

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  Two police officers stand on the roof of the Third Police Precinct during a face off with a group of protesters

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  Protesters outside a Minneapolis police precinct two days after George Floyd died

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  Protesters run from tear gas

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  Demonstrators gather to protest in Los Angeles

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  Police remove barricades set by protesters 

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  A fire burns inside of an Auto Zone store near the Third Police Precinct 

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  Flowers, signs and balloons are left near a makeshift memorial to George Floyd near the spot where he died

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  A policeman faces a protester holding a placard in downtown Los Angeles 

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  A couple poses with a sign in Los Angeles

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  MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MAY 27: A man is tended to after sustaining an injury from a projectile shot by police outside the 3rd Police Precinct building on May 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Four Minneapolis police officers have been fired after a video taken by a bystander was posted on social media showing Floyd's neck being pinned to the ground by an officer as he repeatedly said, "I cant breathe". Floyd was later pronounced dead while in police custody after being transported to Hennepin County Medical Center. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) Stephen Maturen

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  A protester reacts after inhaling tear gas

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  Protesters use shopping carts as a barricade 

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  Protesters clash with the police as they demonstrate against the death of George Floyd 

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The Federal Protective Service is used "to prevent, protect, respond to and recover from terrorism, criminal acts, and other hazards" that threat "critical infrastructure, services, and the people who provide or receive them," according to DHS.

Twenty-two people were arrested during the protests.