> At a Glance
> – Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent, shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, in Minneapolis on January 8
> – Use-of-force experts say the shooting appears to violate standard police tactics, particularly firing at a moving vehicle
> – Federal officials defend the agent’s actions, while state and local leaders reject their account
> – Why it matters: The incident raises questions about ICE use-of-force policies and accountability in high-stakes encounters
A viral bystander video captures the moment an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, prompting experts to question whether the agent faced imminent danger. The January 8 shooting has ignited a firestorm between federal and local officials over what constitutes justified force.
Experts Analyze the Shooting
Former Salt Lake City police chief Chris Burbank, reviewing the footage, stated the agent did not appear to be in immediate danger when he opened fire. Burbank, now a consultant for the Center for Policing Equity, emphasized that deadly force requires an immediate threat to life.
University of South Carolina use-of-force expert Geoffrey Alpert noted Good was turning her vehicle away from the agent when shot. Both experts questioned why officers initially drew weapons on someone not under investigation for a criminal act.
Burbank highlighted a critical tactical concern:
- Officers pointed guns at Good before any apparent threat
- She was not the subject of an investigation
- Blocking a roadway constitutes a traffic violation, not a crime
Conflicting Official Narratives
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agent at a January 8 press conference, describing him as an experienced officer who followed training. She characterized Good’s alleged actions as a “domestic act of terrorism,” claiming she tried to run over agents after refusing orders to exit her vehicle.
President Trump echoed this account in a New York Times interview, stating Good attempted to “run over” the officer. When Times reporters challenged that the video didn’t clearly support this claim, Trump continued to assert his interpretation.
Local officials sharply rejected these federal characterizations. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz posted on social media: “Don’t believe this propaganda machine.” Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey more bluntly called ICE’s version “bulls—.”
Aftermath and Investigation
Following the shooting, video from the scene shows the officer walking around, contradicting suggestions he was severely injured. Noem confirmed the agent received hospital treatment and was released.
Alpert stressed the need for transparency: “We have no idea whether this was a justified shooting. We have a lot of questions and the videos raise issues that a thorough and transparent investigation should answer.”
Key Takeaways
- Use-of-force experts say the shooting violates standard police tactics
- Federal and local officials present radically different versions of events
- The incident highlights ongoing tensions over ICE operations in communities
- Both experts agree the positioning of the agent in front of the vehicle raises tactical questions
As investigations proceed, the shooting continues to fuel debate over federal immigration enforcement tactics and local community safety.
