A United States citizen was shot and killed by federal immigration agents in south Minneapolis the morning of Jan. 7, igniting widespread outrage and renewed demands from city and state leaders for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave Minnesota.
The shooting occurred near the intersection of 34th Street and Portland Avenue after ICE agents arrived in the neighborhood amid reports of a surge of federal immigration enforcement activity across the state. A video recorded by witnesses that quickly spread shows a woman in a purple sport utility vehicle stopped in the street as agents approach. An agent is seen attempting to open the driver side door and pull her from the vehicle.
The woman then attempts to drive away. Another agent steps in front of the vehicle and fires several shots through the windshield. The vehicle strikes two parked cars and comes to a stop. Photographs from the scene show a bullet hole in the windshield on the passenger side.
Witnesses said the woman was shot in the face. Bystanders attempted to provide aid and perform CPR while emergency responders were en route. Multiple witnesses reported that federal agents threatened those at the scene and ordered them away from the vehicle.
State Senator Omar Fateh said agents prevented a doctor who was present from providing lifesaving care.
“I am deeply concerned by reports that a doctor was denied the ability to provide lifesaving CPR by federal law enforcement,” Fateh said. “Please stay safe and take care of one another.”
Another witness told reporters she encountered the scene while driving through the area and saw blood throughout the vehicle and the deployed airbag.
“They were trying to tell me to move out of the way when they had all their trucks blocking me,” she said.
Evan Priest, who lives nearby, said he heard gunshots moments before running outside.
“I heard two shots from down the corner and that is when I came out,” Priest said. “ICE agents were outside of their cars, but I could not see everything that was happening.”
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the woman’s death, stating that an officer fired because he feared for his life and the safety of others. The agency claimed the woman was using her vehicle as a weapon, describing the shooting as self defense.
“An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” said in a public statement made by a Department Homeland Security spokesperson.
Witnesses and public officials say that account conflicts with video footage that appears to show the woman attempting to leave when she was shot.
The spokesperson said the officer acted according to training and that the agents involved were expected to recover from injuries.
Large crowds of neighbors and bystanders gathered near the scene as ICE attempted to establish a two block perimeter. The killing comes amid what DHS has described as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever conducted, with more than two thousand agents deployed to Minnesota following fraud related investigations.
Residents in the area said the increased federal presence has made neighborhoods less safe.
“People are afraid to go out,” said Danny, a nearby resident who witnessed the aftermath. “I have already been held at gunpoint in Richfield. I am a citizen. ICE was trying to set up a perimeter and push people out.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the shooting and demanded the immediate withdrawal of ICE from the city and state.
“The presence of federal immigration enforcement agents is causing chaos in our city,” Frey said at a press conference. “They claim to be here for safety, and the result is exactly the opposite.”
Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan issued a statement calling the shooting an act of extreme violence and urging unity in response.
“ICE has committed an unspeakable act of violence today, shooting and killing a woman in South Minneapolis,” Flanagan said. “These masked agents are out of control and creating real chaos in our state. ICE must leave Minnesota immediately before more people are hurt. In the face of their violence, let us remain peaceful, calm, and united.”
Community members also reported aggressive and reckless behavior by federal agents in recent days, including running red lights, driving against traffic, and threatening residents during encounters.
The woman killed was identified as Renee Nicole Good, a 37 year old United States citizen. A vigil in her memory was scheduled for Wednesday evening at 5 p.m. at East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, organized by the Minnesota Immigrants Rights Committee.
City and state officials said the incident marks an unprecedented escalation in federal immigration enforcement tactics in the Twin Cities and warned that further violence could follow if operations continue.
Izzy Canizares is a freelance journalist and contributor to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder