Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey has launched a scathing attack on federal authorities, accusing them of "hiding the facts" surrounding the fatal shooting of a US citizen by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, has ignited protests and a major political row.
Mayor Demands State Role in FBI Investigation
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Mayor Frey sharply criticised the Trump administration's response to the death of Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three. He demanded that officials from the Minnesota bureau of criminal apprehension be included in the FBI-led inquiry. "This is not a time to hide from the facts," Frey stated. "If you've got nothing to hide from, then don't hide from it."
The confrontation took place near the intersection of East 34th Street and Portland Avenue in Minneapolis. Federal agents were conducting a large-scale immigration enforcement operation when the shooting occurred. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem swiftly labelled Good's actions as "domestic terrorism," offering no evidence and doing so before the official investigation had properly begun.
Frey condemned these characterisations. "They're calling the victim a domestic terrorist. They're calling the actions of the agent involved as some form of defensive posture," he said. "We know that they've already determined much of the investigation... Our ask is to embrace the truth."
Community Vigils and Peaceful Protests
The shooting has prompted widespread grief and anger. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, peaceful protests and vigils were held in Minneapolis, with further demonstrations reported in New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Portland, Oregon. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared a "day of unity" on Friday, including a moment of silence for Good.
At the scene of the shooting, a memorial of flowers, rainbow flags, brightly coloured balloons, and a wooden cross grew amidst the snow and ice, marking Good's life and her relationship with her wife. Despite fears of unrest reminiscent of the 2020 protests after the murder of George Floyd—which occurred roughly a mile away—the gatherings remained largely calm, with only minor scuffles reported.
"Minnesotans have met this moment. Thousands of people have peacefully made their voices heard," Governor Walz said in a statement, while confirming the National Guard was on standby to ensure safety.
Legal and Political Fallout Intensifies
The political fallout escalated on Friday as the New York Times reported an additional 100 federal agents were being sent to Minneapolis. The legal debate centres on whether the ICE officer, identified as Jonathan Ross, a ten-year veteran, can be prosecuted. Vice President Vance asserted the agent had "absolute immunity," a claim Mayor Frey dismissed outright.
"That's not true in any law school in America... that's not true if you break the law," Frey countered. He stood by his previous description of the killing as a "reckless abuse of power" and his demand for ICE to leave the city.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison conceded that bringing state charges without federal cooperation would be difficult, advocating for a joint or state-led investigation to ensure public confidence. This view was echoed by former federal prosecutor Tom Heffelfinger, a Republican appointee, who called the FBI's takeover "disgusting" and said it "guarantees there cannot be a fair and complete investigation."
Governor Walz expressed deep concern over the state's exclusion from the probe. "Now that Minnesota has been taken out of the investigation, it feels very, very difficult that we will get a fair outcome," he said, criticising senior officials for passing judgment with "verifiably false" statements.
The administration's narrative that Ross acted in self-defence when Good's car lurched towards him has been challenged by video evidence. The footage appears to show the wheels of Good's SUV turning away from the officer, suggesting she was attempting to drive away and that he could have stepped aside before firing.
