At a Glance
- An FBI supervisor stepped down after the agency’s investigation into the fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good was seen as too focused on the victim and her partner.
- The shooting on Jan. 7 sparked protests and led to a split between federal and state officials.
- Six U.S. attorney’s office prosecutors also resigned, citing concerns about the investigation’s direction.
- Why it matters: The case highlights tensions over federal immigration enforcement and questions about how investigations are conducted.
The fatal shooting of Renee Good on Jan. 7 has become a flashpoint for debates over federal immigration enforcement and the conduct of investigations. An FBI agent who supervised the Minneapolis field office resigned after the agency’s probe was criticized for concentrating on Good and her partner instead of the officer who fired the shots. The incident and the fallout have drawn attention from state leaders, prosecutors, and the Justice Department.
FBI Resignation and Investigation Focus
The agent who resigned was a supervisor in the Minneapolis field office. He did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to the New York Times, the resignation was first reported by the outlet.
The FBI launched an investigation after the shooting, following the customary practice of including local officials. However, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it was cut out of the investigation. Sources told News Of Philadelphia that the probe had shifted to scrutinizing Good’s partner and whether she impeded the officer, rather than the officer’s direct actions.
> “We are investigating the cause,” said a spokesperson for the Minnesota FBI field office, adding that it was FBI policy not to comment on personnel matters.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said there was currently no basis for a criminal Civil Rights Division investigation into ICE officer Jonathan Ross, the officer who fired the fatal shots.
The Shooting and Public Response
Good, 37, was fatally shot while in the driver’s seat of her SUV. The incident sparked outcry and protests decrying the presence of federal immigration officers. Daniel J. Whitman obtained a cell-phone video shot by Ross that shows the moment of the shooting.
Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, along with other local officials, called for the end of federal immigration operations in the state. The Justice Department is investigating these officials over allegations that they conspired to impede federal immigration agents through public statements. Daniel J. Whitman reported last week that a senior law-enforcement official and a person familiar with the matter had provided the information.
Walz described the investigation as political, while Frey said it was an attempt to intimidate him.
Legal Actions and Protests
Six prosecutors with the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota resigned over their concerns with the direction of the investigation. The resignation of these prosecutors underscores the depth of disagreement within the federal legal community.
In another development, judges denied motions by the Trump administration to detain protesters arrested this week in connection with a demonstration at a St. Paul church where a pastor allegedly worked for ICE. A federal magistrate judge found no probable cause to charge two protesters on FACE Act charges, a federal statute that covers houses of worship.
Presidential Comments
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that federal agents “make mistakes sometimes” in enforcing his immigration crackdown. The statement came after weeks of violent confrontations, including the fatal shooting of Good.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 7 | Renee Good shot by ICE officer Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis |
| Early 2024 | FBI launches investigation, cuts out local officials |
| Mid-2024 | FBI agent resigns; six prosecutors resign |
| Late 2024 | Justice Department investigates Walz and Frey |
| Early 2025 | Judges deny detainment of protesters; no FACE Act charges |
| Current | President comments on federal agents’ mistakes |
Key Takeaways
- The FBI’s investigation into the Good shooting has been criticized for focusing on the victim’s partner rather than the officer.
- The resignation of a supervising FBI agent and six prosecutors signals significant internal disagreement about the probe’s direction.
- State leaders are demanding an end to federal immigration operations, while the Justice Department investigates potential interference with federal agents.
- Legal actions against protesters have been dismissed, and federal authorities have not pursued civil-rights charges against the officer.
- President Trump’s remarks reflect ongoing tensions over the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy.
The case remains a focal point for discussions about federal immigration policy, investigative integrity, and the relationship between state and federal authorities.
