A 37-year-old woman was fatally shot Wednesday morning by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in south Minneapolis, igniting widespread public outrage and prompting Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to call for a full and transparent investigation.
Authorities and local media have identified the woman as Renee Nicole Good, a Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen. According to city officials, Good was acting as a legal observer during federal immigration operations in the area and was not the subject of any ICE arrest warrant or immigration enforcement action.
The shooting occurred during a large federal immigration operation in a residential neighborhood near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, less than a mile from the site where George Floyd was killed in 2020. The proximity to that location has intensified community response and renewed concerns over federal law enforcement activity in Minneapolis.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
Federal officials with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that ICE officers were carrying out targeted enforcement actions when they encountered protesters. DHS claims that Good’s vehicle posed a threat to agents on the scene. According to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, an officer discharged their weapon in what federal authorities describe as self-defense after the vehicle allegedly moved toward law enforcement personnel.
However, witness accounts and videos circulating on social media present a sharply different narrative. The footage shows a chaotic scene in which multiple officers surround Good’s SUV. As she appears to attempt to drive away, at least three shots are fired into the vehicle. Local leaders and community advocates argue that the federal explanation is inconsistent with what is visible in the publicly shared videos.
State and Local Leaders Push Back
Governor Tim Walz strongly condemned the shooting, calling it both “preventable” and “unnecessary.” He rejected the federal government’s assertion of self-defense and urged an independent, transparent investigation to determine what led to Good’s death.
Walz also issued a warning order placing the Minnesota National Guard on standby to assist with public safety if needed, while emphasizing the importance of peaceful protest and civic engagement.
Community Response and National Attention
Protests and candlelight vigils were held near the scene throughout Wednesday, with demonstrators chanting and calling for ICE to leave residential neighborhoods. Many expressed anger, grief, and fear over the use of deadly force during immigration operations—particularly against a U.S. citizen acting as a legal observer.
The incident has drawn national attention, with several Democratic leaders in Congress calling for independent oversight and greater clarity regarding federal immigration enforcement tactics. Advocates argue that the shooting underscores broader concerns about accountability, transparency, and the militarization of immigration enforcement.
As investigations begin, community members and officials alike are demanding answers—seeking clarity not only on what happened to Renee Nicole Good, but also on how similar tragedies can be prevented in the future.
