Minnesota officials expressed dissatisfaction after the FBI took over the investigation into an ICE officer's shooting that killed a woman, subsequently blocking them from accessing various case materials.
It was revealed on Thursday, 8 Jan 2026 GMT+7, that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has fully taken charge of the investigation into the shooting of 37-year-old Rene Nicole McKean Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis the previous Wednesday.
A statement from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said they were initially coordinated to assist with the shooting investigation before federal authorities “changed plans” and informed them the FBI would be the sole investigative agency. This resulted in BCA being denied access to case files, witnesses, and evidence, forcing them to withdraw from the investigation “reluctantly.”
The Minneapolis city government posted on the X platform that the federal decision to exclude BCA from the investigation was “extremely disappointing” and called for “a clear and transparent process involving state investigative agencies.”
This shift in federal law enforcement's stance occurred while Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem continued to affirm the officer’s justification for shooting Ms. Good, claiming the deceased exhibited "domestic terrorism" behavior and that the officer fired in self-defense because she was allegedly driving toward him.
However, the Trump administration’s claims contradicted widely shared online video footage showing Ms. Good reversing her vehicle and allowing at least one ICE vehicle to pass before an officer ordered her out. She then attempted to turn and drive away.
The officer then fired multiple shots while still standing steadily and appeared uninjured as he walked away, while Ms. Good’s vehicle crashed into a light pole and other parked cars.
Democratic Party members harshly criticized the Trump administration for distorting facts of the incident. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said at a press conference, “Minnesota must be involved in this investigation,” expressing concern the federal inquiry might yield an “unfair” outcome.
“I say that because those in power have already made up their minds, from the president and vice president down to Kristi Noem. They have confirmed and stated clearly false and incorrect information. They have judged this 37-year-old mother without even knowing her,” Walz stated.
He added that Noem had taken on the roles of “judge, jury, and executioner” just the day before.
However, Noem said at a Thursday press conference that BCA was not excluded from the investigation, explaining the issue as one of jurisdiction. She continued to defend the federal officer involved, citing his experience and noting he required hospital treatment after the incident.
Also on Thursday, dozens of religious leaders from diverse faiths joined hundreds of citizens at the shooting site south of Minneapolis to show solidarity, chanting “ICE out now” throughout the event.
The shooting of Ms. Good occurred less than 24 hours after the Trump administration announced a major immigration crackdown in Minnesota, prompting some residents to protest peacefully in major cities until the shooting escalated political tensions.
Minneapolis authorities announced citywide school closures on Thursday amid safety concerns.
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Source:the guardian