Mayor swears and tells ICE to ‘get out’ after woman shot dead by immigration agent in Minneapolis

A woman has been fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis, sparking intense political and public backlash.

The Minneapolis City Council identified the woman as Renee Nicole Good, saying she was helping her neighbours when she was killed by federal authorities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, claims the woman attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon and tried to run over ICE officers, prompting the shooting.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey strongly rejected that account during a press conference, calling the self-defence claim “bullshit” and telling ICE agents to leave the city. He said he had personally reviewed the video footage and accused federal officials of spreading false narratives.

Tensions in Minneapolis have escalated in recent days following a large-scale ICE presence in the city. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has said the operations will continue despite local opposition, while the FBI has launched an investigation into the incident.

What ICE is

ICE is a federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement, including investigations and deportations of people deemed to be in the US illegally. Its activities have increased sharply under President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown. Journalists have observed ICE officers detaining people on the streets and placing them into unmarked vehicles.

What the video shows

Video shared online appears to show ICE officers surrounding an SUV stopped in the middle of the road and attempting to open the driver’s door. As the vehicle begins to move forward, an officer standing near the driver’s side fires two shots at close range. The SUV then collides with two parked cars before coming to a halt.

President Donald Trump, posting on Truth Social, claimed the woman was behaving aggressively and deliberately ran over an ICE officer, who he said fired in self-defence and is now recovering in hospital. Trump blamed what he called the “Radical Left” for encouraging attacks on law enforcement.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris dismissed Trump’s statements as “pure gaslighting” and called for an independent state-level investigation.

Conflicting accounts

DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin described the incident as an act of “domestic terrorism,” saying rioters blocked ICE officers and that the woman attempted to kill officers with her vehicle. She said the officer fired to protect himself and others.

However, eyewitness Emily Heller told NBC News that the woman appeared frightened and was trying to escape after officers attempted to open her car door. She said the officer stepped in front of the vehicle and fired several shots, striking the woman in the face.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said there was no evidence the woman was attempting to injure anyone and confirmed she was not the subject of any law enforcement investigation. He stated she had been blocking the road and was shot as she tried to drive away.

Political fallout and public reaction

Secretary Noem continued to describe the shooting as justified, while Mayor Frey accused ICE of spreading a “garbage narrative” and said the agency was creating fear, division, and chaos rather than safety.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also rejected the federal account, urging the public not to accept what he called propaganda and promising a thorough state investigation.

Following the shooting, protesters gathered at the scene, holding a candlelight vigil and laying flowers. The incident occurred less than a mile from where George Floyd was killed in 2020. Minneapolis schools will remain closed for two days in response to the unrest.