Minneapolis, MN – Tensions have escalated dramatically in Minnesota following a fatal shooting by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on January 7, 2026, amid a large-scale federal immigration enforcement surge in the state.
The incident occurred in south Minneapolis when an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen described by community members as a mother and legal observer monitoring federal activities during protests against ongoing ICE raids. Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, stated that Good attempted to ram her vehicle into agents, describing it as an act of self-defense and even “domestic terrorism.” President Donald Trump echoed this account on social media.
However, state and local leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have strongly disputed the federal narrative, citing multiple bystander videos that appear to show Good’s vehicle turning away or posing no immediate threat. Frey demanded that ICE agents “get the f*** out of Minneapolis,” calling their presence chaotic and unsafe, while Walz labeled the operations a “threat to public safety” and activated the Minnesota National Guard as a precaution for potential unrest.
The shooting unfolded against the backdrop of a major federal deployment of approximately 2,000 ICE and other agents to the Minneapolis area—described by officials as the “largest immigration operation ever”—targeting alleged welfare fraud involving Somali-American communities and criminal noncitizens. Minnesota’s sanctuary policies, which limit local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, have been cited by the Trump administration as enabling such issues.
Protests erupted immediately after the shooting and continued into January 8–9, with hundreds gathering near the site and at federal buildings like the Whipple Federal Building in St. Paul. Demonstrators chanted against ICE, with some clashes reported involving pepper balls, tear gas, and arrests (at least 11 on Thursday). Vigils and marches spread nationwide, drawing parallels to the 2020 George Floyd unrest due to the location’s proximity.
A jurisdictional dispute has further intensified the turmoil: The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) initially joined the FBI in investigating but was later excluded, with federal authorities asserting sole control and denying state access to evidence. Walz criticized this as undermining transparency, while DHS defended the move.
Schools in the Twin Cities area faced closures due to safety concerns and heightened ICE presence, with families reporting fear and increased absenteeism. Community leaders and officials continue to call for accountability, an independent probe, and an end to the federal operations in the state.
This situation highlights deep divisions over immigration enforcement, sanctuary policies, and federal-state relations in Minnesota. Investigations remain ongoing, with no final determination on the shooting’s circumstances.