The Minneapolis Police Department was not present when an ICE enforcement operation in south Minneapolis ended in a shooting that left 37-year-old Renee Good dead. DHS says agents were making arrests when Good allegedly used her vehicle as a weapon, prompting a federal agent to fire in what DHS described as self-defense. Protesters then seized the block, erecting makeshift barricades and directing traffic while anti-ICE graffiti appeared at the scene. Mayor Jacob Frey disputed the federal account, and Gov. Tim Walz authorized the National Guard to be ready to support law enforcement.
Police Absent as Protesters Seize Minneapolis Block After ICE Shooting; Barricades Erected
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Avenue in Minneapolis, Minn., Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, where Renee Nicole Good was shot the day before by an agent with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Minneapolis Police Department was not present on the block where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement operation ended in a shooting, and protesters moved in to control the street, erecting improvised barricades that kept others away.
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Ave. in Minneapolis, MN, Thursday, January 8, 2026. The block is where Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent the day before.
What Happened
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the incident occurred during an ICE enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. DHS said agents were attempting arrests when 37-year-old Renee Good allegedly used her vehicle as a weapon, which prompted a federal agent to fire in what DHS described as self-defense. Good was later pronounced dead.
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Avenue in Minneapolis, MN, Thursday, January 8, 2026.
After the shooting, demonstrators established makeshift barricades using chairs, trash cans, wooden shipping pallets, bicycles and other materials. Reporters at the scene observed protesters directing traffic and guarding the area; no Minneapolis police officers were seen nearby during those observations.
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Avenue in Minneapolis, MN, Thursday, January 8, 2026, where Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent.
Official Reactions
At a post-incident briefing, DHS officials said Good had been 'stalking and impeding agents' and had been ordered to exit her vehicle shortly before shots were fired, a directive they said she did not follow. The federal agency characterized the agent's actions as self-defense.
Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Avenue in Minneapolis, MN, Thursday, January 8, 2026, on the block where Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly disputed the federal account, calling it "bull----" in remarks that drew attention and criticism. On Thursday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz authorized the Minnesota National Guard to be prepared to support local and state law enforcement to help keep protests peaceful and maintain public safety. Gov. Walz also praised the many peaceful demonstrators, saying thousands had made their voices heard.
Portrait of Renee Nicole Good.
One wooden pallet at the barricade was spray-painted with an anti-ICE message, and other signs at the scene labeled ICE as terrorists. Minneapolis police later dismantled the barricades early on Friday morning.
Context
This is an ongoing and developing situation. Authorities and local officials have offered differing accounts of the events; investigators will need to review bodycam footage, witness statements and other evidence to establish a fuller timeline and determine whether the use of force was justified.
Note: This article corrects earlier misattributions in some reports; statements about the incident are attributed here to DHS and local officials as released publicly.
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