Noem Backs ICE Agent in Fatal Minneapolis Shooting as City Officials Challenge DHS Account

According to Rokna, citing CNN, the victim has been identified as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of a six-year-old child. Residents gathered at the scene throughout the day, first to protest federal law enforcement actions and later to hold a vigil in honor of Good’s life.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he had been “warning for weeks” that ICE operations in the state posed “a threat to public safety.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed the Department of Homeland Security’s narrative, telling ICE agents to “get the hell out of Minneapolis.” Former Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo explained to CNN how the situation could have been de-escalated, noting that officers are trained to reduce risk both to themselves and the public when dealing with individuals in vehicles.

“Get out of the way of the car,” Arradondo advised, emphasizing that deadly force should only be used when absolutely necessary. He added that because the woman was not the direct target of the ICE operation, agents could have allowed her to leave and addressed her case later.

Noem defended the agent’s actions, stating he followed his training. Witness Ugene Bentley described seeing an agent take video footage of the victim’s car before the shooting, apparently to record her license plate.

Good’s father, Tim Ganger, told The Washington Post that he and his wife had just been informed of their daughter’s death and were still processing the news. He noted that Renee had spent most of her life in Colorado but had moved temporarily to Kansas following the death of her military veteran husband three years ago. Ganger said the family plans to speak publicly after consulting with Renee’s partner and son.

The Minneapolis City Council issued a joint statement condemning the shooting and criticizing what it called ongoing federal “attacks” on the city. Signed by 11 of the council’s 13 members, the statement demanded an investigation into the incident and called for ICE to leave Minneapolis immediately.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis also called for a full investigation, describing the shooting as “tragic” and “deeply disturbing” and extending condolences to Good’s family and loved ones. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara emphasized that local officers were tasked with securing the crime scene, not protecting ICE agents, and praised his officers for handling the chaotic situation without further escalation.

Public schools in Minneapolis were closed for the remainder of the week due to safety concerns, with activities, athletics, and community programs canceled. Classes are set to resume on Monday, January 12.

Vice President J.D. Vance and former Vice President Mike Pence defended ICE agents, framing the incident as a cautionary example and highlighting the dangers officers face. However, multiple eyewitnesses challenged the federal narrative, saying Good’s vehicle did not pose an immediate threat.

One witness, Trevor Heitkamp, described seeing the SUV obstruct traffic and ICE agents shouting at the driver. He said the vehicle moved slowly, and shots were fired as the driver attempted to proceed forward. Emergency medical assistance was delayed, and bystanders were prevented from helping the victim immediately.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized the federal government’s handling of the situation, calling ICE’s behavior reckless and urging residents to protest peacefully. Witnesses reported that the scene had become more solemn by evening, with hundreds of candles and flowers forming a memorial for Good near the site where she lost her life.

Tom Homan, former border czar, defended ICE officers on X, saying they operate in “heightened threat environments” and have a right to self-defense, calling the incident a tragic result of the “hateful rhetoric and violent attacks” directed at federal immigration agents.