State and local officials in Minnesota have expressed alarm over the FBI's handling of the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent, saying they doubt the inquiry will be fair or impartial. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) initially worked alongside the FBI but was later excluded from the investigation, losing access to case materials and evidence.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty stated that the BCA's force investigations unit, established after George Floyd's death, cannot meet its high investigative standards without access to all evidence. She noted that the FBI collected the victim's car and other evidence, preventing the BCA from conducting forensic evaluations.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticised the federal government's narrative portraying Good as a villain, calling it “garbage” and urging a state-led investigation. He expressed concern that the Department of Justice under Pam Bondi had already reached conclusions about the case.
Media reports identify the agent who shot Good as Jonathan Ross, who was allowed to leave the scene with his weapon. Defence attorney Eric J Nelson, who represented Derek Chauvin, described the breakdown in cooperation as “shocking” and contrary to public expectations of legal norms.
Moriarty and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison have called on the public to submit any evidence, such as video footage, to state investigators, citing concerns over restricted access to FBI-held materials. Statements by Donald Trump, who labelled Good a “high-level agitator” without evidence, have further fuelled concerns of bias.
