A US immigration enforcement agent fatally shot a 37-year-old woman while she was inside her car in Minneapolis on Wednesday (Jan 7), sparking public outrage and protests amid President Donald Trump’s intensified nationwide crackdown on migrants.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey strongly disputed federal claims that the shooting was an act of self-defence, saying video footage of the incident contradicts the government’s account.
“They’re already trying to spin this as self-defence,” Frey said angrily at a press conference. “Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly — that is nonsense.”
The mayor accused federal immigration agents of escalating tensions in the city, while urging residents to remain calm following the incident.
The shooting prompted hundreds of protesters to gather near the scene, where some were confronted by heavily armed federal agents wearing gas masks. Chemical irritants were deployed to disperse the crowd.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), however, defended the actions of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer involved. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the agent opened fire after the woman allegedly attempted to run over officers, describing the act as “domestic terrorism”.
“The ICE officer’s actions saved multiple lives,” McLaughlin said in a post on X, adding that injured officers were expected to make a full recovery.
However, videos circulating on social media and verified by Reuters raised questions about that narrative.
One video shows a maroon Honda SUV partially blocking a road. The driver appears to inch forward before stopping to allow other vehicles to pass. As officers approached the vehicle and ordered the driver to exit, the car briefly reversed before moving forward again, apparently attempting to drive away.
An agent positioned in front of the vehicle stepped back and fired three shots, at least one after the car had already passed him. It remains unclear whether the vehicle struck the officer, who remained standing throughout the encounter.
After the shooting, the SUV sped away before crashing into parked vehicles and a utility pole.
Local media identified the woman as Renee Nicole Good, citing her mother, Donna Ganger, who described her daughter as compassionate and non-confrontational.
“She’s taken care of people all her life,” Ganger told the Minnesota Star Tribune. “She was loving, forgiving and affectionate.”
