Vigil Held in Phoenix for Shooting Victim of ICE Agent

Phoenix, January 8, 2026

A vigil took place outside the ICE headquarters in Phoenix, demanding justice for Renee Nicole Good, a Minnesota mother fatally shot by an ICE agent. Demonstrators called for accountability and expressed outrage over conflicting narratives surrounding the incident. Federal officials claimed self-defense, while local leaders condemned the actions as state-sanctioned violence. This event is part of a nationwide response, with protests occurring in multiple cities following the tragic incident.

Phoenix

Dozens of people gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in Phoenix on Wednesday night for a vigil. The demonstration demanded justice for Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minnesota mother and U.S. citizen, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier the same day.

Widespread Outcry Follows Fatal Shooting

The vigil in Phoenix was part of a broader, nationwide response to the shooting, with thousands gathering in Minneapolis at the scene where Ms. Good was killed, and demonstrations also called for in cities including New York, Chicago, Seattle, Orlando, and Columbus, Ohio. The incident, which occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in south Minneapolis near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue, has sparked immediate controversy and conflicting narratives.

Conflicting Accounts of the Incident

Federal officials, including Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump, alleged that the ICE agent acted in self-defense, claiming Ms. Good attempted to ram her vehicle into federal agents. Secretary Noem characterized Ms. Good’s actions as an “act of domestic terrorism” and stated that the agent involved was treated at a hospital and later released. Conversely, Democratic lawmakers and local officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, have strongly disputed the federal government’s account. Mayor Frey labeled the federal narrative as “bulls**t,” while Representative Omar described the incident as “state-sanctioned violence” and an “unnecessary provocation.” The Minneapolis City Council also released a statement, identifying Ms. Good as a community member who was “out caring for her neighbors” when her life was taken by federal government hands.

Details of the Operation and Victim

The fatal shooting occurred amidst what federal officials termed the “largest DHS operation ever,” involving 2,000 federal officers deployed across Minneapolis and Saint Paul. This operation is part of a broader, nationwide crackdown on migrants and an investigation into fraud allegations against some Minnesota nonprofit groups within the Somali community. Renee Nicole Good, a mother of three and a U.S. citizen born in Colorado, had recently moved to Minnesota from Kansas City, Missouri. She was described by her family as a poet, writer, and a deeply compassionate individual who was not an activist and had no significant history of law enforcement charges beyond a traffic ticket. Her mother, Donna Ganger, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that Ms. Good was “loving, forgiving and affectionate” and “taken care of people all her life.” Witnesses described seeing an officer approach her car, demand she open the door, and grab the handle before she began to pull forward, at which point another ICE officer fired multiple shots into the vehicle. Videos from bystanders have circulated on social media, reportedly showing agents surrounding the vehicle and demanding Ms. Good exit. One witness reported seeing the shooter walk away from the scene and get into an ICE vehicle. Medical aid was reportedly delayed for approximately 15 minutes, with first responders facing difficulty accessing the site due to ICE vehicles.

Ongoing Investigations and Community Demands

Both the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the FBI are actively investigating the shooting. Community members and advocates at vigils across the country are demanding accountability for the federal agent responsible for Ms. Good’s death and are calling for ICE to cease operations in Minnesota. The incident has intensified national discourse surrounding federal immigration enforcement practices and their impact on local communities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What was the main event that triggered the vigils?

Dozens of people gathered outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) headquarters in Phoenix on Wednesday night for a vigil, demanding justice for Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minnesota mother and U.S. citizen, who was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier the same day.

When and where did the shooting of Renee Nicole Good occur?

Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, around 9:30 a.m. in south Minneapolis, Minnesota, near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue.

Who was Renee Nicole Good?

Renee Nicole Good was a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, a mother of three, a poet, and a writer. Her family described her as a compassionate individual with no significant prior law enforcement record beyond a traffic ticket.

What are the conflicting accounts surrounding the shooting?

Federal officials allege the ICE agent acted in self-defense, claiming Ms. Good attempted to ram her car into agents, characterizing her actions as an “act of domestic terrorism.” Local and state Democratic leaders, however, dispute this narrative, calling it “state-sanctioned violence” and an “unnecessary provocation.”

Are there any investigations underway?

Yes, both the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the FBI are actively investigating the shooting.

Key Features of the Event

Feature	Description	Geographic Scope
Victim’s Name	Renee Nicole Good	Minnesota
Victim’s Age	37 years old	Minnesota
Victim’s Citizenship	U.S. Citizen	Nationwide
Date of Shooting	Wednesday, January 7, 2026	Minnesota
Location of Shooting	Minneapolis, Minnesota (near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue)	Minnesota
Vigil Location (Primary News Event)	Outside Phoenix ICE headquarters	State-level (Arizona)
Other Vigil/Protest Locations	Minneapolis, New York, Chicago, Seattle, Orlando, Columbus, Ohio	Nationwide
Federal Officials’ Stance	Agent acted in self-defense; Good’s actions were “domestic terrorism”	Nationwide
Local/State Leaders’ Stance	Dispute federal narrative; call it “state-sanctioned violence”	State-level (Minnesota)
Investigating Agencies	FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA)	Nationwide (FBI), State-level (BCA)
Context of Shooting	During “largest DHS operation ever” in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, part of a nationwide crackdown on migrants and fraud investigation.	Nationwide (DHS operation, crackdown), State-level (fraud investigation in Minnesota)

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