MINNEAPOLIS — The White House has declared U.S. law enforcement to be under “organized attack” following violent clashes between protesters and federal officers in Minneapolis, triggered by the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent.
The incident occurred Wednesday when ICE agents approached a vehicle they claimed was blocking their path. Footage of the encounter shows a masked agent attempting to open the car door before another agent, positioned near the front bumper, fired three shots into the Honda SUV. The vehicle, driven by Renee Nicole Good, accelerated out of control and crashed into stationary cars. Good, shot in the head, was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving behind a wife and a six-year-old child.
Vice President JD Vance swiftly characterized the shooting as an act of “self-defense,” alleging without evidence that Good was part of a “broader left-wing network” intent on disrupting ICE operations. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, labeling the event a result of a “sinister left-wing movement.”
In contrast, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed claims from President Donald Trump and senior officials that Good attempted to kill the agents. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara clarified that Good was not the target of immigration enforcement and was merely suspected of obstructing traffic.
The shooting has ignited widespread outrage, with protests escalating after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called demonstrating for justice a “patriotic duty.” On Thursday, officers deployed pepperball guns and tear gas to disperse crowds near a government facility in Fort Snelling, detaining several protesters. The unrest prompted the closure of Minneapolis schools as a precautionary measure.
Governor Walz has demanded that state investigators join the federal probe, warning that without their involvement, Department of Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem would act as “judge, jury, and basically executioner.” Vice President Vance, however, expressed confidence that a federal investigation would exonerate the officer involved.
The tragedy occurs against the backdrop of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigrant deportation drive, which has faced significant local opposition. A fundraiser for Good’s family has surpassed $600,000, while a growing memorial of flowers and candles at the scene of the shooting attests to the deep community impact.