MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis turned deadly on January 7, 2026, when an officer with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, according to law enforcement statements and bystander footage reviewed by news organizations. The killing, captured on multiple videos, has ignited widespread protests and renewed scrutiny of ICE’s use of force.
Around 9:35 a.m. Central Standard Time, Good’s SUV was positioned diagonally across a city street in the Central neighborhood of Minneapolis when several ICE agents approached her vehicle during a large federal enforcement action in the region. Based on what has been publicly confirmed so far, it is not definitively known what Renee Nicole Good was doing beyond the fact that she was stopped in her vehicle at the time of the ICE operation. There is no confirmed evidence that Good was attempting to interfere with the operation nor is there an indication she was protesting.
Video obtained by reporters and posted publicly shows agents issuing conflicting orders and attempting to engage Good as she remained inside her car. After a brief interaction, Good began moving her vehicle forward. One ICE officer in front of her vehicle then fired three shots with at least one round entering through the windshield striking her and immediately ending the encounter. Medical personnel arriving later pronounced her dead at a local hospital.
Federal officials have defended the officer’s decision, stating that she attempted to run over agents, prompting a self-defense response. However, local officials and video analysts have disputed that account, describing the situation as unclear and challenging the justification for deadly force.
Good, a married mother of three who lived in Minneapolis, was described by family and friends as a creative person; a poet and writer with deep ties to her community. She reportedly had dropped her youngest child off at school on the morning of the shooting. Family members say she was not participating in protests at the time but may have been observing the federal operation with her partner when the incident unfolded.
The ICE officer involved, identified by some local press as Jonathan Ross based on court records, is a military veteran with decades of experience in law enforcement and federal agencies. While federal authorities initially withheld the officer’s name, court filings reviewed show he had previously been injured during a separate enforcement operation after being dragged by a vehicle whose driver refused to stop. That earlier incident, which involved a moving vehicle and resulted in documented injuries, is now being examined as relevant context in assessing how the officer perceived the threat during the Minneapolis encounter.
The FBI has assumed control of the investigation, limiting Minnesota state law enforcement’s access to evidence, a move that has drawn criticism from state leaders who argue for transparency.
Protests have rippled across Minneapolis and the nation in the wake of Good’s death, with demonstrators calling for accountability, reforms to ICE policies, and greater oversight of federal enforcement practices. In Minneapolis, thousands marched under slogans opposing the agency’s tactics. Similar rallies, from peaceful vigils to larger public actions, have taken place in other cities.
City and state officials have sharply rebuked federal characterizations of the incident, even as the federal government maintains that the officer acted lawfully. Debates over ICE training, engagement protocols for moving vehicles, and broader immigration enforcement strategies have intensified in the aftermath.
Local leaders including newly elected officials with memories of Minneapolis’s earlier crises have drawn parallels between the shooting and past incidents of police violence, noting the deep emotional impact on residents and the city’s sense of security.
Federal figures have defended ICE operations, emphasizing the risks officers face during enforcement actions, while civil rights advocates and some lawmakers are urging comprehensive policy reviews and greater federal accountability.
Key Facts & Details
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | Fatal shooting during a federal immigration enforcement operation |
| Date | January 7, 2026 |
| Time | Approximately 9:35 a.m. CST |
| Location | Central neighborhood, Minneapolis |
| Victim | Renee Nicole Good, 37 |
| Victim Background | Minneapolis resident; married mother of three; poet and writer |
| Agency Involved | **U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) |
| Circumstances | Good was seated in an SUV stopped diagonally across a city street during a large ICE operation |
| What Is Known | Good was not the target of the operation; no confirmed evidence she was interfering or protesting |
| Use of Force | One ICE officer fired three shots; at least one round entered through or near the windshield |
| Officer Claim | Federal officials say the officer believed the vehicle posed an immediate threat |
| Disputed Account | Local officials and video analysts say footage does not clearly support that claim |
| Officer Identity | Identified by some local outlets as Jonathan Ross, based on court records |
| Officer Background | Military veteran; decades in law enforcement and federal service |
| Prior Relevant Incident | Officer previously injured after being dragged by a vehicle that refused to stop during a separate enforcement action |
| Investigating Agency | **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) |
| State Access to Evidence | Limited, prompting criticism from Minnesota officials |
| Public Response | Large protests in Minneapolis and nationwide |
| Broader Impact | Renewed scrutiny of ICE use-of-force policies, vehicle engagement protocols, and federal oversight |
FAQ: Minneapolis ICE Shooting
Who was Renee Nicole Good?
Renee Nicole Good, 37, was a Minneapolis resident, a married mother of three, and a poet and writer.
Was she the target of the ICE operation?
No. Authorities and family members say she was not the target.
What was she doing at the time?
It is not definitively known. She was seated in her SUV, which was stopped diagonally on a city street. There is no confirmed evidence she was interfering with the operation or protesting.
What do the videos show?
Agents approaching the vehicle and issuing commands. The SUV later moved forward.
How did the shooting happen?
An ICE officer fired three shots; at least one round entered through or near the windshield, striking Good.
What is ICE’s explanation?
Federal officials say the officer believed the vehicle posed an immediate threat.
Why is that disputed?
Local officials and video analysts say the footage does not clearly show an imminent danger.
Who is investigating?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation.
Legal Standards: Use of Force & Moving Vehicles
When can officers use deadly force?
Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, deadly force is permitted when an officer reasonably believes there is an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm to themselves or others, based on the totality of circumstances.
How do vehicles factor into that analysis?
Courts recognize vehicles can be deadly weapons, but many law enforcement policies caution against firing at moving vehicles unless no reasonable alternative exists and the threat is immediate.
What do agencies typically consider?
- Speed and direction of the vehicle
- Officer positioning and ability to move out of harm’s way
- Whether commands were clear and complied with
- Time available to reassess the threat
- Consistency with agency training and policy
Why is prior experience relevant?
Investigators may consider whether an officer’s past encounters, including prior vehicle-related injuries, reasonably influenced their perception of danger, without automatically justifying the use of deadly force.
What will investigators review here?
Video footage, witness accounts, use-of-force policies, training records, and whether the officer’s actions aligned with constitutional standards.
