Minneapolis Mayor Speaks Out After Woman Fatally Shot by ICE Officer
Minneapolis officials are confronting renewed outrage and deep community pain after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot a 37-year-old woman earlier this month — an incident that has reignited concerns about federal enforcement tactics and public safety.
Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis mother of three, was shot and killed on the morning of January 7 near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue during an ICE enforcement operation in the city’s south side. Good was pronounced dead at a local hospital after the encounter with federal agents.
What Happened
According to video evidence and local reports, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fired multiple shots into Good’s vehicle in a span of under one second as she attempted to drive away from the scene. Good had just dropped her youngest child off at school earlier that morning and, according to neighbors and local media accounts, was acting as a “legal observer” — watching federal agents’ movements — when the collision occurred.
The federal Department of Homeland Security initially defended the shooting, with officials describing the situation as self-defense and claiming that Good’s vehicle posed a threat. However, local law enforcement leaders and independent video analyses have disputed that narrative, saying the footage does not clearly support the claim that Good intended to harm officers.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has classified Good’s death as a homicide, a medical classification indicating that one person caused another’s death, but not suggesting whether a crime occurred.
Minneapolis Mayor’s Reaction
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has been outspoken in his response, publicly challenging the federal account of the incident. After reviewing available footage, Frey bluntly rejected the claim that Good posed a threat to officers and said the characterization of events by ICE was misleading. “Having seen the video myself,” he said, “I want to tell everybody directly that is bullshit.” He called for a reevaluation of federal presence in the city.
Mayor Frey’s remarks reflect wider frustration within the city over federal enforcement operations and have resonated in a community still grappling with the legacy of police violence and public distrust in law enforcement.
Community Impact and Response
The shooting spurred immediate protests and vigils in Minneapolis and beyond, with activists and neighbors demanding accountability and changes in how federal immigration operations are conducted. Good’s death has also overlapped with broader concern about Operation Metro Surge, a heightened federal immigration enforcement effort in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul region that has led to multiple controversial shootings and arrests.
Good’s family and supporters have described her as a kind neighbor and caregiver who was simply trying to help monitor and support her community, not someone engaged in criminal conduct at the time of her death.
Ongoing Developments
The incident remains under investigation, and federal authorities are facing calls for independent review from local officials, civil rights groups, and lawmakers. Critics argue that transparency is necessary to build trust and determine whether the use of lethal force was justified.
As Minneapolis continues to process the tragedy and its aftermath, the debate over federal law enforcement practices, community safety, and accountability has become a central issue in local and national discussions.
