Gross Incompetence by ICE Agents Casts Dark Shadow on Agency - ICE Agents Did Not Have Body Cams Activated During Minnesota Shooting

Minneapolis, MN — January 8, 2026

A fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in south Minneapolis has ignited fierce criticism of the agency, with local leaders and experts pointing to operational failures and a glaring lack of accountability measures — including the absence of activated body-worn cameras — as evidence of systemic incompetence.

On January 7, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen and mother described by her family as compassionate and non-confrontational, was shot and killed by an ICE agent during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation. The incident occurred on Portland Avenue near East 34th Street, less than a mile from the site of George Floyd's 2020 killing, amid heightened tensions over the Trump administration's deployment of thousands of federal agents to the Twin Cities.

Bystander videos verified by multiple outlets show agents approaching Good's maroon SUV, which was partially blocking the street. One agent attempts to open the driver's door while shouting commands. Good reverses briefly before moving forward slowly, appearing to maneuver away. An agent positioned in front of the vehicle fires multiple shots at close range, striking Good in the head. The SUV travels a short distance before crashing into parked cars.

Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, defended the shooting as self-defense, claiming Good "weaponized her vehicle" in an attempt to run over agents — an act Noem labeled "domestic terrorism." President Trump echoed this narrative on social media, sharing a slowed-down clip asserting the agent was rammed.

However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey vehemently rejected the federal account after reviewing footage, calling it "bullshit" and accusing the agent of "recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying." Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the incident as "totally avoidable," blaming the administration's aggressive tactics for escalating a routine encounter into tragedy. Witnesses, including local resident Connor Janeksela, told reporters the agent shouted "Stop!" before firing three shots "within a second," with no clear evidence of intentional ramming.

Compounding the controversy is the revelation that none of the ICE agents involved were equipped with active body-worn cameras, according to multiple ICE sources cited by Fox News and other outlets. ICE has been gradually rolling out body cameras since 2024, but Minneapolis was not among the initial implementation sites, and surge teams from other regions arrived without them. A former ICE agent described the operation to local media as exhibiting "poor planning" that endangered agents and bystanders alike.

Critics argue this absence of official footage — in an era where local police in Minneapolis are mandated to release body-cam video of deadly incidents promptly — represents a profound accountability gap, forcing reliance on bystander videos amid conflicting narratives. "ICE's patchy body-cam rollout raises serious fears about transparency, especially during high-stakes operations," noted one analysis.

The shooting has sparked protests and vigils, with thousands gathering peacefully to demand ICE's withdrawal from Minnesota. State investigators initially joined a probe but withdrew after federal authorities restricted access to evidence. The FBI is now leading the investigation.

Good's mother, Donna Ganger, expressed devastation, telling reporters her daughter was "probably terrified" and "one of the kindest people I’ve ever known." Family members said Good was driving home after dropping off her child at school and had no involvement in protests or immigration-related activities.

As dueling accounts persist and calls for independent scrutiny grow, the incident underscores deep concerns over ICE's tactics in Democratic strongholds — tactics critics say prioritize spectacle over safety, casting a long shadow over the agency's competence and oversight. 17GEN4.com