Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 8, 2026
In Minneapolis, a U.S. ICE agent fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during a federal immigration enforcement operation, leading to widespread protests. Eyewitnesses report conflicting orders from agents, contradicting federal claims that the agent acted in self-defense. Local officials challenge the narrative, causing community outrage and vigils across various cities, including Atlanta and Chicago. Investigations by the FBI and state authorities are underway to address the incident and its implications within the broader context of recent immigration enforcement operations.
Minneapolis
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, around 9:30 a.m. CST, sparking immediate and widespread protests and vigils across several cities. The incident, which occurred during a large-scale federal immigration enforcement operation, has led to sharply conflicting accounts from federal officials and local authorities regarding the circumstances of the shooting.
Circumstances of the Incident
The shooting took place on Portland Avenue South Central in Minneapolis, where Ms. Good was reportedly idling in a vehicle at the scene of an ongoing ICE operation. Accounts from eyewitnesses and analyses of video footage suggest that ICE agents approached her vehicle, giving what some witnesses described as conflicting orders. One agent reportedly told Ms. Good to drive away, while another shouted for her to exit the car, attempting to open the door.
Federal officials, including Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin and Secretary Kristi Noem, have stated that the ICE agent acted in self-defense, asserting that Ms. Good “weaponized her vehicle” and attempted to run over law enforcement officers. President Donald Trump echoed these claims, stating he believed the officer acted in self-defense and that Ms. Good was “disorderly, obstructing and resisting” before “violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer.” DHS further characterized her actions as an “act of domestic terrorism.”
However, local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have vehemently disputed the federal narrative. Mayor Frey, having reviewed video of the incident, called the self-defense claim “bullshit” and a “garbage narrative,” asserting that the agent “recklessly us[ed] power that resulted in somebody dying, getting killed.” Governor Walz also challenged the federal account, urging the public not to “believe this propaganda machine” after reviewing video evidence. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara noted that preliminary information indicated Ms. Good was in her vehicle blocking the road when a federal law enforcement officer approached, the vehicle began to drive off, and at least two shots were fired, causing the car to crash. Witnesses also reported hearing three shots fired. One witness stated that Ms. Good “posed absolutely no threat to any of these agents.”
Victim Identified
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, poet, and writer, was identified by her mother and local authorities. Originally from Colorado, Ms. Good had recently moved to Minneapolis and had reportedly dropped off her six-year-old son at school shortly before the incident. Her family described her as “one of the kindest people,” “extremely compassionate,” and an “amazing human being.” The Minneapolis City Council stated that Ms. Good was “out caring for her neighbors” when her life was taken. Police chief O’Hara stated there was “nothing to indicate that this woman was the target of any law enforcement investigation or activity.”
Widespread Vigils and Calls for Justice
Following the shooting, thousands gathered in south Minneapolis on Wednesday evening for a vigil near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, the site of the incident. A growing memorial emerged as community members expressed grief and called for justice. Demonstrations and vigils also extended beyond Minneapolis. In Atlanta, activists held a vigil on Wednesday night, gathering downtown to condemn the shooting. Similarly, in Chicago, immigration advocates, rapid response groups, and residents convened at the Little Village Arch to commemorate Ms. Good and denounce the shooting, calling for the agent’s arrest and for federal law enforcement to withdraw from American cities.
Local lawmakers in Minneapolis and Minnesota have expressed strong condemnation of ICE’s presence and actions. Mayor Frey unequivocally stated, “ICE — Get the f*** out of Minneapolis. We do not want you here.” Governor Walz issued a warning order to prepare the Minnesota National Guard for deployment if necessary and emphasized the state’s commitment to Minnesotans’ safety. U.S. Representative Angie Craig also criticized the “chaotic, reckless and unnecessary ICE operations,” calling for ICE to leave Minnesota. Minneapolis public school classes were canceled for the remainder of the week.
Investigations Underway
The shooting is currently under investigation by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has indicated her office is “pushing hard” for a local investigation to ensure full transparency. Minneapolis Police Chief O’Hara expressed concern over the tactics used by federal immigration agents, noting that while deadly force is sometimes justified, most law enforcement agencies are trained to minimize its need. He found it “very concerning whenever there’s a shooting into a vehicle of someone who’s not armed.”
Broader Context of Federal Operations
The fatal shooting occurred less than 24 hours after the Department of Homeland Security announced what it termed the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out, deploying 2,000 agents to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, which began on January 6, 2026. This surge included Homeland Security Investigations officers focused on suspected fraud. Saint Paul City Council member Molly Coleman described the first day of the action as “unlike any other day we’ve experienced,” and an eyewitness to the shooting stated that people in the neighborhood had been “terrorized by ICE for six weeks.”
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026?
- A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Who was Renee Nicole Good?
- Renee Nicole Good was a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, a mother of three, a poet, and a writer, who had recently moved to Minneapolis.
- What are the conflicting accounts of the shooting?
- Federal officials claim the ICE agent acted in self-defense, stating Ms. Good “weaponized her vehicle” and attempted to run over law enforcement officers. Local officials, eyewitnesses, and video analyses dispute this, stating Ms. Good was driving away or that agents gave conflicting orders.
- Where else have vigils and protests been held?
- Vigils and protests have been held in Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Chicago (at the Little Village Arch).
- Who is investigating the shooting?
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) are jointly investigating the shooting.
- What was the broader context of the incident?
- The shooting occurred during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation by the Department of Homeland Security in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, which began on January 6, 2026.
Key Features of the Minneapolis ICE Shooting Incident
| Feature | Details | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | Renee Nicole Good, 37-year-old U.S. citizen, mother of three, poet, and writer. | Local |
| Date of Incident | January 7, 2026, around 9:30 a.m. CST. | Local |
| Location of Shooting | Portland Avenue South Central, Minneapolis, Minnesota. | Local |
| Federal Account of Incident | ICE agent acted in self-defense, claiming Ms. Good “weaponized her vehicle” and attempted to run over officers. | Nationwide |
| Local Officials’ Account | Disputed federal claims, citing video evidence and eyewitnesses suggesting Ms. Good was driving away or received conflicting orders. | State-level |
| Investigations | Joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). | Nationwide (FBI), State-level (BCA) |
| Protests and Vigils | Held in Minneapolis, Atlanta, and Chicago (Little Village Arch). | Nationwide |
| Broader Context | Occurred during a large-scale Department of Homeland Security immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, which commenced on January 6, 2026. | State-level |
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