Photo Courtesy of MPR
On Jan. 7, 2026, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in south Minneapolis—a moment that has since shaken Minnesota and ignited national debate. Good, a U.S. citizen, mother of three, and creative spirit described by those who knew her as loving and compassionate, was behind the wheel of her car when the encounter occurred during a federal enforcement operation. Videos from the scene and eyewitness accounts quickly circulated, raising serious questions about the necessity and justification of the use of lethal force.
In response, Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed Jan. 9 a “Day of Unity”—calling on Minnesotans to observe a moment of silence, support one another, and engage in service to their communities. In his proclamation, Walz framed the day as one for peace, decency, compassion, and democracy, inviting people across the country to join Minnesota in this observance. The governor urged acts of kindness and unity, from volunteering at a food shelf to simply checking on a neighbor.
Courtesy of Office of Gov. Walz
Gov. Walz also authorized the Minnesota National Guard to be staged and ready to support local and state law enforcement if needed. The order, issued out of an abundance of caution, allows the Guard to help protect critical infrastructure and support peaceful demonstrations, even as state leaders emphasized confidence that Minnesotans would continue to gather and express themselves peacefully.
Local Leadership Responds
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey was among the first city leaders to speak publicly after Good’s death. Frey strongly disputed the federal narrative that the agent acted in self-defense, calling that characterization “bull***t” and demanding that ICE withdraw its forces from Minneapolis, arguing that their presence had “caused chaos and distrust.” He also urged peaceful expression of anger and solidarity with Good’s family and community. “The top thing that this Trump administration is looking for is an excuse to come in with militarized force, to further occupy our streets, to cause more chaos, to have this kind of civil war on the streets of America in a Democratically run city,” Frey told the AP. “We cannot give them what they want.”
Gov. Walz has emphasized the need for calm and a complete investigation, while also expressing Minnesota’s collective grief. He acknowledged residents’ anger and called for peaceful protest and community solidarity, even as state and federal authorities wrestle over jurisdiction in the ongoing investigation. “I want Minnesotans to hear this from me: The desire to get out in the protest and to speak up to this administration of how wrong this is, that is a patriotic duty at this point in time, but it needs to be done safely,” Walz said in a press conference Wednesday. “I feel your anger, I am angry. They want a show, we can’t give it to them.”
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan sharply condemned the Trump administration’s response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good, rejecting claims that the ICE agent acted in self-defense and calling federal officials’ statements “lies” and “disgusting.” Flanagan emphasized that Good should still be alive, pointed to video and eyewitness accounts that contradict federal narratives advanced by Donald Trump and Kristi Noem, and said the incident has left Minnesotans grieving, angry, and convinced that ICE’s presence has made their community less safe.
Sen. Tina Smith said bystander video contradicts federal claims about the shooting and argued ICE agents escalated the encounter rather than de-escalated it, making the community less safe. Calling the response reckless, Smith said, “What I saw on those bystander videos is nothing like what Secretary Noem or President Trump described,” and added that it’s difficult to trust a federal investigation when conclusions were asserted so quickly, even as Minnesotans grieve and protest peacefully.
At the federal level, responses have been sharply divided. Department of Homeland Security officials and Vice President J.D. Vance defended the actions of the immigration agent, saying he acted in self-defense—a claim that is contested by local leadership and by analysis of public video footage. Vance has also framed criticism of enforcement agencies as part of broader political discourse, drawing rebukes from Minnesota officials and advocacy groups.
Photo Courtesy of Craig Lassig/EPA
A Community in Grief and Protest
Good’s death, which occurred near the same Minneapolis neighborhood where George Floyd was killed in 2020, has struck a deep chord locally and nationally. Vigils and protests drew thousands of people, first in Minneapolis and then in other cities, including New York and Chicago, as families and activists called for accountability and transparency.
Friends, neighbors, and loved ones remember Good as more than the moment of her death. She was a poet, creative thinker, and devoted parent—attributes her family and those who knew her have highlighted in the days since the shooting. These personal remembrances have underscored the human loss behind the headlines and statistics.
Tensions and Legal Questions
The shooting has also raised complex legal and procedural questions. The investigation into the killing of Renee Nicole Good has exposed growing tension between federal and state authorities, particularly over transparency and accountability. Although the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) was initially set to conduct a joint investigation with the FBI, that plan changed within hours.
In a Jan. 8 statement, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said the agency responded to the scene in good faith after consultation with county, state, and federal partners. Later that day, however, the FBI informed the BCA that the U.S. Attorney’s Office had reversed course and would lead the investigation exclusively—cutting off state investigators’ access to evidence, witnesses, and case materials.
Without that access, Evans said, the BCA could not meet the investigative standards Minnesota law and the public expect, prompting the agency to withdraw. The decision is notable because the BCA’s Force Investigations Unit was created in 2020 to provide independent oversight in cases involving law-enforcement use of deadly force.
State leaders have criticized the move as undermining trust at a moment when transparency is critical. While the BCA has said it expects the FBI to conduct a thorough investigation and share its findings with prosecutors, questions about jurisdiction, oversight, and public confidence remain central as the case unfolds.
Community Support and Resources
Community members looking to help can donate to a GoFundMe established to support the family of Renee Good. Numerous local organizations have mobilized to support affected families and community members. Groups such as Monarca, Mirac, and the Immigrant Defense Network offer know-your-rights training, legal guidance, and rapid response support for those concerned about immigration enforcement interactions. Resources include multilingual “Know Your Rights” guides and contact lines for rapid legal assistance. The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota provides free and low-cost legal services, education, and advocacy to protect and advance the rights of immigrants and refugees across Minnesota. Furthermore, ACLU’s know-your-rights resources offer guidance on constitutional protections and legal options.
Faith communities, schools, and neighborhood organizations have also opened their doors for spaces of mourning, reflection, and mutual aid. ISAIAH is a statewide, multiracial coalition of faith communities, Black barbershops, child care centers, and community partners working together to advance racial and economic justice across Minnesota. Minneapolis Public Schools and community partners continue to provide food assistance and support services, including no-cost meals for children and families at designated community sites.
Looking Forward
This moment has become more than a single incident; it has crystallized long-standing debates in Minnesota and across the nation over law enforcement conduct, immigration policy, and the rights and safety of community members—including those who may be undocumented or simply observers. Minnesota’s leaders have called for peaceful unity, while advocates champion both accountability and support for immigrants’ constitutional protections.
As the investigation unfolds, Minnesotans are being asked not only to mourn but to engage—to volunteer, to care for one another, and to participate in the democratic process that underscores the state’s values of decency, compassion, and respect for human rights.
In the days following Good’s death, organizations across Minnesota have stepped forward to offer spaces of safety, reflection, and connection—for adults, children, and families alike.
Several Minneapolis literary and arts institutions have opened their doors as places of reprieve. Wild Rumpus Books has affirmed its longtime role as a welcoming space for children and families, while The Loft Literary Center and Birchbark Books have emphasized community, dialogue, and care through literature and gathering.
The Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul has also spoken out, reiterating its commitment to being a learning and discovery center for everyone—a place where curiosity, inclusion, and shared humanity remain central. Smart North has reaffirmed its commitment to community care, offering its Tech Hub inside Sabathani Community Center as a safe, welcoming space for youth ages 12-25—providing support and meals weekday afternoons in South Minneapolis.
Local businesses are responding, too. Minneapolis’ A Bar of Their Own opened early on Friday to offer a welcoming daytime space for Minneapolis Public Schools students and parents, with movies and coloring pages during lunch hours, followed by its regular women’s sports schedule in the evening. St. Paul’s Backstory Coffee Roasters has publicly offered support to community members, providing space, conversation, and safety tools—including whistles—for those who may feel vulnerable. Curious Crow Co. in Circle Pines has opened its space—including its event room—as a safe place to rest, decompress, organize, and gather in solidarity during a deeply painful moment for Minnesotans.
Updated Jan. 9, 2026. To be included as a resource, please email Editor-in-Chief Alesha Taylor.
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