US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has forcefully reiterated her support for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis, maintaining the officer acted in self-defence against what she termed an "act of domestic terrorism."
Conflicting Narratives Over Fatal Encounter
Speaking at a press conference in New York City on Thursday, Noem detailed the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) version of events leading to the death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. The secretary claimed Good had been following and harassing ICE agents during operations in the area before allegedly using her vehicle "as a weapon" in an attempt to run over an officer.
This account has been met with immediate and robust challenge from Minnesota officials and eyewitnesses. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, dismissed the DHS narrative as "garbage" and "bullshit," stating that video footage of the incident contradicts the federal agency's claims. The footage appears to show Good's vehicle turning away from the officer at the moment he opened fire.
Investigation Thrown Into Turmoil
The controversy deepened on Thursday when the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) announced it was "reluctantly" withdrawing from the probe. In a statement, the BCA superintendent said federal officials informed them the FBI would now lead the investigation solely, cutting off the state agency's access to critical evidence and interviews needed for an independent inquiry.
When questioned about the BCA's withdrawal, Secretary Noem asserted that the state agency "doesn't have any jurisdiction in this investigation" and had not been improperly excluded. The move has raised significant concerns about the transparency and independence of the investigation into the fatal shooting.
Political Fallout and Nationwide Protests
The shooting occurred amid a heightened DHS presence in Minnesota, linked to fraud allegations involving Somali residents. Noem indicated she was "not opposed" to sending more federal agents to Minneapolis if deemed necessary for public safety, a statement likely to inflame tensions further.
In response, Democratic leaders across Minnesota have called for ICE agents to leave the state, urging peaceful protest. Demonstrations against the shooting and ICE operations were held in multiple US cities on Wednesday night, with further protests planned for Thursday in major hubs including New York City and Chicago.
The political rift extended to New York, where Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the shooting as "the latest horror in a year full of cruelty." Noem expressed a hope that Mamdani would "work with us" on immigration enforcement, despite acknowledging that current communications between DHS and the mayor's office have not been productive.
As the FBI takes over the investigation, the case remains a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, use of force, and the reach of federal authority within US states.
