A fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis has ignited national controversy and raised alarms about escalating enforcement tactics. Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was killed on January 14th when agent Jonathan Ross opened fire as she attempted to drive away from an immigration policy demonstration.
This incident reflects a broader pattern identified in a Wall Street Journal investigation, documenting 13 instances since July 2025 where immigration agents fired at civilian vehicles, resulting in eight injuries and two confirmed fatalities. The Trace, a nonprofit tracking gun violence, reports at least 16 firearm discharges by immigration agents since President Trump’s return to office, predominantly involving moving vehicles.
The White House has defended Ross’s actions, claiming he perceived imminent threat from Good’s vehicle. President Trump asserted she had “ran him over,” though multiple video recordings from the scene appear to contradict this narrative. TIME reports that federal authorities have repeatedly invoked similar justifications in other cases, only to be disproven by video evidence.
Experts point to systemic issues within the Department of Homeland Security, including relaxed hiring standards and inadequate training for thousands of new personnel. In most documented cases, officials justified deadly force by claiming vehicles were weaponized against officers—claims often unsupported by available evidence.
DHS has controversially characterized Good’s actions as “domestic terrorism,” alleging she attempted to use her vehicle to kill law enforcement officers. This designation has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers and civil liberties advocates.
The administration’s response has included increased ICE presence in Minneapolis, triggering massive protests and another shooting incident involving a Venezuelan immigrant. Critics warn these developments may represent a strategic provocation to justify invoking the Insurrection Act—an 1807 law permitting domestic military deployment against insurrection.
Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the administration’s response, calling Trump “increasingly unhinged” and accusing him of lying about the circumstances. Sanders warned that militarized responses to protest could establish dangerous precedents for suppressing dissent nationwide.