New details have emerged surrounding the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother and poet, by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis last week, highlighting the confusion and tension that unfolded during the incident.
Good was shot just after 9:37 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, while sitting in her maroon Honda Pilot. She had joined neighbors and other locals protesting the presence of immigration enforcement agents on their streets. The confrontation, captured on multiple bystanders’ cell phones, quickly circulated on social media, drawing international attention and igniting mass demonstrations in cities across the United States.
According to a review of 60 pages of police and fire department incident reports and 911 call logs obtained by The New York Times, the immediate response to the shooting was chaotic. The first emergency calls arrived around 9:38 a.m. and continued for the next hour, depicting the panic among witnesses.
“One caller reported, ‘There’s 15 ICE agents, and they shot her, like, cause she wouldn’t open her car door,’” the records show. Another witness said, “I witnessed it. She tried to drive away, but crashed into the nearest vehicle that was parked,” noting that Good was already covered in blood while still in the driver’s seat. The dispatcher reassured callers that “lots of help” was on the way.
Earlier reporting by The Minnesota Star Tribune had indicated that ICE agents on the scene had blocked a person identifying themselves as a doctor from attending to Good. The newly obtained records provide more precise details: paramedics arrived at 9:42 a.m., finding her unresponsive, bloodied, and in critical condition.
The reports describe multiple injuries: two apparent gunshot wounds on her right chest, another on her left forearm, and a possible fourth on the left side of her head. Blood was seen streaming from her left ear, and her pupils were dilated. Paramedics immediately moved Good from her vehicle and attempted resuscitation while rushing her to Hennepin County Medical Center.
Meanwhile, federal agent Jonathan Ross, who had fired the shots, remained on the scene for approximately 15 minutes before being escorted to a nearby federal building for his own protection, according to the reports. Witnesses at the scene grew increasingly agitated, leading to tense exchanges among law enforcement personnel about crowd control and the potential escalation of violence.
“NEED CROWD CONTROL AND AREA BLOCKED OFF,” one message at 9:47 a.m. read. Another, at 9:50 a.m., warned: “CROWD GETTING HOSTILE.” By 10:07 a.m., officials were advising, “CONTACT WHO IS IN CHARGE OF FEDS AND HAVE THEM LEAVE SCENE,” concerned that the continued presence of ICE agents could exacerbate tensions. Evacuating the federal officers proved challenging, as a crowd of approximately 20 people surrounded the area, attempting to prevent their exit.
Paramedics continued efforts to revive Good as they transported her to the hospital, but at approximately 10:30 a.m., they were forced to abandon resuscitation. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Even after the ambulance left, the situation remained tense. A message at 11:01 a.m. noted: “ICE BEING SURROUNDED,” reflecting ongoing protests against the federal agents. By 11:20 a.m., another message confirmed, “ALL ICE AGENTS HAVE LEFT SCENE,” followed 18 minutes later by: “CROWD CALMED DOWN NOW THAT ICE IS GONE.”
The political fallout was swift. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicly defended Ross’s actions, asserting that Good had “stalked” ICE agents in her vehicle and labeling her conduct as “an act of domestic terrorism.” President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance echoed this assessment, drawing widespread criticism from activists, legal experts, and civil rights organizations who argue that such statements preempt the ongoing investigation.
The shooting has triggered nationwide protests and calls for accountability. Local activists have demanded a full, independent investigation into both the circumstances of Good’s death and the conduct of ICE agents during the confrontation. Several community groups have also highlighted broader concerns about federal enforcement operations in residential neighborhoods, citing instances of intimidation and excessive use of force.
Good, remembered by friends and family as a devoted mother and talented poet, leaves behind three children. Her death has ignited renewed debate about the use of lethal force by federal agencies and the oversight of ICE operations in local communities.
Authorities have confirmed that an official investigation into the fatal shooting is ongoing. While the federal agency has defended the actions of its officer, legal analysts caution that the incident could lead to federal and civil inquiries, potentially including charges if the investigation finds misconduct.
The tragedy has prompted city leaders to call for greater transparency and clearer protocols governing federal enforcement presence in Minneapolis neighborhoods. City officials have vowed to monitor developments closely and to work with community organizations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
As national attention continues to focus on Minneapolis, the death of Renee Nicole Good has become a symbol of tension over immigration enforcement in the U.S., highlighting the delicate balance between federal authority, civil rights, and public safety. Meanwhile, witnesses, neighbors, and Good’s family continue to demand answers and justice for a life cut short in a confrontation that many describe as avoidable.
