Calls for Joint Investigation into Fatal Shooting by Immigration Officer in Minneapolis

Wed Jan 14 2026 19:22:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Minneapolis officials are urging the involvement of state authorities in the investigation of a woman's fatal shooting by an immigration officer, citing concerns over federal bias.

Following the shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer in Minneapolis, local officials including Mayor Jacob Frey and Sen. Tina Smith are advocating for state participation in the investigation. They argue that the federal government has shown bias by prematurely announcing their view of the incident. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem dismissed these concerns as political rhetoric. The call for a more neutral investigation comes amid protests across the country sparked by the shooting, which has been defended by Trump administration officials as an act of self-defense.

MINNEAPOLIS — The controversy surrounding the fatal shooting of a woman by an immigration officer in Minneapolis has ignited calls for state authorities to join in the investigation. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith expressed their concerns over the involvement of federal agencies, fearing an inherent bias in the investigation process.

Interviewed separately, Frey and Smith emphasized that without local oversight, trust in the federal investigation would be compromised. How can we trust the federal government to do an objective, unbiassed investigation... when at the beginning of that investigation they have already announced exactly what they think happened? Smith queried during an interview on ABC’s This Week.

The federal government had defended the actions of the immigration officer involved in the shooting of Renee Good, asserting that he acted in self-defense.

Amid ongoing tensions, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem responded to inquiries about the shooting during a CNN interview, redirecting focus towards the need for cooperation between local and federal law enforcement agencies despite criticisms from Minnesota officials. We do work with locals when they work with us, she stated, pushing back against accusations of a lack of collaboration.

Both Frey and Noem have engaged in a public back-and-forth regarding the rhetoric and responses to Good’s death, with Frey accusing the federal agent of reckless conduct leading to loss of life. He reiterated this sentiment, demanding a fair investigation free from bias.

The shooting, which occurred during a federal enforcement operation, has led to widespread protests with thousands taking to the streets in Minneapolis over the weekend. Many are decrying the tactics of federal immigration officials, arguing for a change in policy and priorities.

As the situation unfolds, advocates continue to question the federal government's strategy in immigration enforcement, particularly in light of the recent upsurge in violence linked to such operations.