At a Glance
- ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Renee Nicole Good through her windshield as she drove away, killing her one week ago.
- 2,000 ICE agents now occupy Minneapolis, with 1,000 more incoming.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem brands Good a “domestic terrorist” while video shows Good fleeing.
- Why it matters: Minnesota is suing the federal government as protests spread nationwide.
Minneapolis has become a flashpoint after an ICE agent fatally shot resident Renee Nicole Good during a federal operation. Video shows Good driving away when agent Jonathan Ross fired multiple shots through her windshield, killing her on January 7, 2026.
Protests Erupt
Thousands of demonstrators-from schoolchildren to retirees-have flooded the streets since the shooting. Memorials for Good have replaced normal traffic on major intersections. Police have arrested dozens.
Escalating Federal Presence
- 2,000 ICE agents currently deployed to Minneapolis
- 1,000 additional agents ordered to the city
- State representative Michael Howard: “It feels like our community is under siege by our own federal government”
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has repeatedly claimed Ross acted in self-defense. She has publicly labeled Good a “domestic terrorist” despite video evidence showing Good attempting to flee.
Viral Video Contradicts Official Account
Footage shared widely on social media shows Good’s vehicle moving away from agents when shots are fired. A separate video, allegedly from Ross’s cellphone and promoted by Vice President JD Vance, captures a male voice saying “fucking bitch” immediately after the shooting.
Legal Action
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed suit against the federal government to halt the ICE surge. The lawsuit argues the massive federal presence violates state sovereignty and endangers residents.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 7, 2026 | ICE agent kills Renee Nicole Good |
| January 7-11 | Protests begin, memorials form |
| January 11 | Federal agents fire pepper balls at protesters |
| January 12 | Lawsuit filed against federal government |
National Response
Demonstrations have spread beyond Minnesota. Protesters in winter coats have staged walkouts in cities and small towns nationwide. The unrest marks one of the largest federal-local confrontations since the 2020 George Floyd protests.
Community Under Siege
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey held emergency press conferences denouncing the federal presence. Local hospitals report treating protesters for injuries from less-lethal munitions fired by federal agents.
The city has requested federal assistance to manage the crisis, but DHS has instead increased agent numbers. Local police have largely stood aside as federal agents conduct operations.
Political Fallout
The incident has reignited debates over federal immigration enforcement tactics. Governor Tim Walz called the situation “an unprecedented federal overreach into local communities.”
Congressional representatives have requested investigations into the shooting. DHS has not released Ross’s body camera footage, citing an ongoing investigation.
Ongoing Crisis
As of January 12, 2026, protests continue daily. Federal agents remain heavily armed throughout Minneapolis neighborhoods. The city has imposed curfews, but demonstrators have largely ignored them.
Good’s family has demanded a federal investigation and the immediate release of all video evidence. Community leaders are calling for Ross’s prosecution and the withdrawal of ICE agents from the city.
The standoff shows no signs of resolution as both sides dig in for what many fear could become a prolonged conflict between federal authorities and local residents.
