Credited from: BBC
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother and poet, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during an operation in south Minneapolis on January 7, 2026. Good's shooting occurred amid a confrontation with law enforcement, which took place as part of a widespread immigration crackdown that has already alarmed local officials and communities. Eyewitnesses claim that the woman posed no threat and was merely attempting to leave the area when she was shot, leading to outrage and numerous protests across the nation, according to India Times and Los Angeles Times.
The incident unfolded when federal agents reportedly attempted to approach Good's vehicle during their enforcement operation. According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, ICE agents believed that Good had attempted to run them over after they had instructed her to exit her vehicle. Local officials and community members, however, have challenged this narrative, asserting that Good was simply trying to protect her neighborhood from aggressive ICE tactics, as noted by Al Jazeera and ABC News.
Following the shooting, protests erupted not only in Minneapolis but also in numerous cities across the United States, reflecting widespread anger over the impending presence of ICE in local communities. Hundreds of protesters gathered to voice their demands for justice and accountability, many chanting, "ICE out of Minnesota," and calling for systemic change, according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.
Eyewitness accounts play a critical role in highlighting discrepancies regarding the agent's use of force. Individuals present during the shooting recounted a scenario devoid of confrontation, insisting that Good did not pose a threat at the time of the shooting. Some witnesses noted that the agent fired shots as Good attempted to move her vehicle away from the scene, contradicting claims made by federal officials about her actions, as reported by NPR and ABC News.
The fallout from this tragic incident extends beyond public demonstrations, as local officials have called on ICE agents to leave Minnesota entirely. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz have publicly criticized the actions described by federal officials and are demanding accountability, underscoring a significant divide in perspectives between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement leaders, stated Los Angeles Times and NPR.