FBI Opens Investigation as Tens of Thousands Protest ICE After Renee Good Shooting
Updated (2 articles)
Shooting Occurred During ICE Confrontation in South Minneapolis ICE agents attempted to stop Renee Good’s SUV in a residential street; as the vehicle accelerated, an officer fired at least two close‑range shots, striking Good and causing the SUV to crash into parked cars [1][2]. Video shows agents grappling the door before gunfire erupts, and the officer later identified as veteran ICE agent Jonathan Ross, who previously survived a similar vehicle incident in Bloomington [1][2]. Authorities have not released whether the vehicle struck the officer after the shots.
Federal Probe Launched While State Role Remains Blocked The FBI opened a federal investigation into the shooting, but the U.S. Justice Department declined to participate, effectively excluding Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension from the case [2]. Governor Tim Walz urged state involvement, yet DHS defended the limited federal oversight [2]. This jurisdictional split leaves the FBI as the primary investigative body [1][2].
Massive Demonstrations Sweep Minneapolis Streets Tens of thousands gathered at Powderhorn Park and marched through downtown, chanting “ICE out now” despite bitter cold and freezing rain [1][2]. Police reported about 30 arrests over the weekend and noted one officer suffered minor injuries after an ice chunk was thrown at a patrol vehicle [1]. Organizers described the protests as largely peaceful, though confrontations occurred in isolated spots [1].
Political Leaders Clash Over Narrative and Oversight Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Good’s actions as domestic terrorism and claimed she weaponized her car, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey rejected that characterization, calling her a victim [1]. Three Minnesota congresswomen’s attempt to tour an ICE facility ended abruptly when they were ordered to leave, underscoring tensions over federal transparency [1]. Local officials announced plans for an independent inquiry into the shooting [1].
Related FBI Activity Highlights Broader Enforcement Scrutiny The FBI’s Portland office opened a separate investigation into a hospital‑area shooting that left two people wounded, illustrating the agency’s concurrent focus on multiple violent incidents [2].
Sources (2 articles)
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[1]
BBC: Thousands protest ICE in Minneapolis as FBI investigates shooting of Renee Good: Details massive protests, arrests, officer identity, and the clash between federal and local officials over the investigation and political framing .
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[2]
AP: Minneapolis seeks calm after ICE officer fatally shoots Renee Good: Emphasizes the shooting’s mechanics, the FBI’s lead role, the exclusion of state investigators, and the national debate over self‑defense versus terrorism narratives .
Timeline
Jan 8, 2026 – Hundreds of demonstrators march through downtown Minneapolis, chanting “ICE out now” and bearing signs that read “ICE out of Minnesota” as they protest the recent shooting of Renee Good. The protest spreads from a federal facility to city streets, prompting the school district to cancel classes for the rest of the week as a precaution. Police report the gathering remains largely peaceful despite the cold rain. [2]
Jan 8, 2026 – State investigators from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension learn that the FBI and U.S. Justice Department will not participate in the inquiry into Good’s death, effectively removing the state’s role in determining criminal liability. Governor Tim Walz publicly urges a state‑level investigation, while DHS defends its decision to keep the probe federal. [2]
Jan 8, 2026 – A separate shooting outside a Portland hospital wounds two people, and the FBI’s Portland office launches its own investigation into that incident. The event underscores the broader national scrutiny of law‑enforcement use of force. [2]
Jan 10, 2026 – Three Minnesota congresswomen—Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, and Angie Craig—attempt to tour an ICE detention facility. They are initially admitted but later ordered to leave, highlighting ongoing tensions over congressional oversight of immigration enforcement. [1]
Jan 10‑11, 2026 – Tens of thousands gather for the “ICE out of Minnesota” rally that begins in Powderhorn Park and spreads across the city, with drums and chants filling the streets despite bitter cold. Police describe the demonstration as “largely orderly,” though they warn that arrests could follow any law violations. [1]
Jan 10‑11, 2026 – About 30 protesters are arrested over the weekend as law‑enforcement clashes intensify; a police officer sustains minor injuries after a chunk of ice is thrown at a patrol vehicle. The arrests illustrate the heightened volatility surrounding the ICE controversy. [1]
Jan 11, 2026 – The FBI opens a federal investigation into the shooting of Renee Good, confirming that ICE agent Jonathan Ross fired the fatal shots during a vehicle confrontation. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labels Good’s actions “domestic terrorism” and claims she weaponized her car, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey counters that she is not a terrorist and calls for a local inquiry. [1]
Historical context – 2024 Bloomington incident – ICE officer Jonathan Ross previously endures a violent encounter in Bloomington, where he is dragged about 100 yards after his arm is caught in a fleeing vehicle’s window; he receives treatment and returns to duty. The prior incident informs current debates over Ross’s use of force and the agency’s disciplinary record. [2]