Deadly ICE Shooting of Renee Good Sparks Unrest in Minneapolis and Portland
The United States is witnessing a significant escalation in civil unrest following two separate shootings involving federal immigration agents in less than 24 hours. The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, followed by a double shooting in Portland, Oregon, on January 8, has ignited a firestorm of protests across the country. As federal authorities double down on claims of self defense, local leaders and community members are calling for an immediate end to militarized immigration enforcement in their cities.
In South Minneapolis, the community remains in a state of shock and mourning after the death of 37 year old Renee Nicole Good. A U.S. citizen and mother of three, Good was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during an enforcement operation on Portland Avenue. The agent involved has been identified as Jonathan E. Ross, a 10 year veteran of the ICE Special Response Team.
Tensions reached a boiling point on Thursday when federal agents, specifically U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), shot and wounded two people in Portland, Oregon. The incident took place in the parking lot of Adventist Health Portland during a "targeted vehicle stop." DHS officials claim the driver of a Toyota Tacoma attempted to run over agents, prompting a "defensive shot."
The back to back shootings have triggered a nationwide wave of demonstrations. In Minneapolis, hundreds of protesters braved freezing rain to march toward the site of Good's death, chanting "Say Her Name: Renee Nicole Good." The city’s public school system canceled all classes and activities for the remainder of the week, citing safety concerns due to the high federal presence and ongoing civil unrest.
In Portland, nearly 500 people gathered outside the ICE building, leading to minor altercations with police who used force to clear the streets. Similar vigils and protests have been reported in New York City, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Boston. The Trump administration’s decision to deploy over 2,000 federal agents to the Twin Cities as part of a massive immigration enforcement surge is now being viewed by many local leaders as the primary driver of the violence.
A major point of contention has emerged regarding the investigation of these shootings. In Minnesota, Governor Tim Walz expressed deep frustration after the FBI "reversed course" and took sole jurisdiction over the investigation into Renee Good’s death, effectively cutting out the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Walz has questioned the fairness of a federal agency investigating its own, stating that "Minnesota must be part of this investigation" to ensure transparency.
The atmosphere in both Minneapolis and Portland remains incredibly volatile. Community organizers in South Minneapolis describe a "reign of terror" where residents feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods due to the presence of masked federal agents and armored vehicles. Legal observers like Renee Good, who was known for monitoring ICE activities to protect her neighbors, are now seen as martyrs in the fight against what local leaders call "authoritarian tactics."
As the FBI continues its investigations into both the Minneapolis and Portland shootings, the divide between local governments and the federal administration continues to widen. With more federal agents being deployed to Minnesota despite local opposition, the potential for further conflict remains high. The families of the victims and the residents of these cities are left demanding accountability, even as the federal government maintains that its agents are acting within their training to maintain public safety.
The coming days will be critical as the nation watches to see if the calls for justice result in meaningful policy changes or further escalation on the streets of America’s cities.