Gold Hits Record Above $5,000 as U.S. Civil Unrest, Fatal Shooting Rattle Markets

Gold prices surged to a historic high above $5,000 an ounce on January 26, reflecting extreme investor anxiety over U.S. civil unrest and political instability. The market move follows a fatal shooting by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on January 24 that has triggered widespread condemnation from Silicon Valley leaders. The incident, the third such shooting in the city this month, has intensified national tensions. Tech executives from firms like a16z and Meta have publicly denounced the government's actions, while major retailers have called for de-escalation. The reaction highlights deep societal divisions, with some figures like Palantir's co-founder defending the government's stance.