breaking news: ICE Agent Fatally Shoots Woman During Federal Enforcement Operation in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, Minnesota — January 7, 2026 — A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer fatally shot 37-year-old Renée Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, during a federal immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis, triggering protests, political disputes, and multiple investigations.
On the morning of January 7, federal immigration agents were conducting a large enforcement action in Minneapolis that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) described as part of an intensified effort coordinated with the FBI. During this operation, an interaction occurred between agents and Good’s vehicle on Portland Avenue in the Central neighborhood of the city.
In video recordings reviewed by multiple outlets, two ICE agents approached Good’s car, which was stopped sideways in the street. The agents gave conflicting commands — one appeared to instruct Good to drive away, while another ordered her out of the vehicle. According to eyewitness accounts and video analysis, Good then began to move her SUV forward and away from the agents.
An ICE agent fired three shots into the vehicle; video suggests the agent was positioned to the side of the car and not directly in its path when shots were fired. Good was struck in the head and later pronounced dead at a local hospital. Her vehicle continued briefly and then collided with a parked car and a light pole.
Federal Account vs. Local Disputes
Federal authorities, including DHS and the Trump administration, publicly stated that the ICE agent fired in what they described as self-defense, claiming Good attempted to run over law enforcement officers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterized the shooting as resulting from a “violent, willful” action by Good and labeled it an act of “domestic terrorism,” a description that federal officials have used to justify the agent’s response. President Donald Trump also publicly defended the agent’s conduct as lawful.
Local officials and eyewitnesses sharply dispute the federal version. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said video evidence does not support claims that Good attempted to run over officers and questioned aspects of the federal narrative. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has also rejected the federal account and pushed for state involvement in the investigation.
Delays in Medical Aid and Scene Management
Witnesses at the scene reported that federal agents initially blocked bystanders and medics from reaching Good after she was shot, delaying medical assistance. One witness, who identified herself as a physician, said she was prevented from checking Good’s pulse. According to these accounts, ICE vehicles restricted access routes, forcing first responders to approach on foot, and about 15 minutes passed before official medical personnel reached Good’s vehicle. DHS has not publicly commented on these specific witness claims.
Identity of the Officer and Victim
The ICE officer who fired the shots has been identified by local media as Jonathan Ross, a 43-year-old veteran of U.S. military and law enforcement with nearly two decades of service, including time in the Indiana National Guard and the Border Patrol before joining ICE. Ross has served as part of joint federal task forces and was previously injured in a 2025 encounter in which he was dragged by a fleeing suspect’s vehicle during an unrelated operation. Federal authorities have cited his experience in defending his actions in the Minneapolis shooting.
The victim, Renée Nicole Good, was a mother of three who had recently settled in Minneapolis with her family. Relatives, neighbors, and supporters described her as a devoted parent and member of the community. Her partner recorded footage of the encounter and mourned her death publicly. Good’s family and some local residents disputed claims that she posed a threat during the incident.
Public Response and Protests
The shooting sparked immediate protests in Minneapolis and prompted expressions of outrage in other cities. Demonstrators gathered outside ICE facilities and along downtown streets, calling for accountability and for federal agents to leave the city. Local authorities, community leaders, and civil rights groups criticized the escalation of federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, saying it had heightened tensions and undermined public trust.
In response to ongoing unrest, Minnesota officials activated the State Emergency Operations Center and the National Guard in anticipation of further demonstrations. Streets near the shooting site were reopened after crews removed barriers earlier erected following the incident.
Investigations and Legal Questions
The FBI has taken the lead on the federal investigation into the shooting, which has prompted pushback from Minnesota state officials who want greater involvement in reviewing evidence and determining whether state laws were broken. Hennepin County and state prosecutors have announced their own inquiry separate from the federal process.
Legal experts and use-of-force commentators have weighed in on whether the agent’s actions aligned with accepted law enforcement protocols. Some have argued that firing at a moving vehicle when an officer is not directly in its path may violate typical use-of-force standards, while agency defenders maintain the decision was justified under DHS policy.
The Minneapolis City Council and other community representatives have continued to call for ICE to end its enforcement operations in the city. Debates over the appropriateness of federal immigration enforcement tactics in urban communities remain unresolved, with local and national figures offering divergent interpretations of both the incident and its broader implications.