When Deadly Force is Authorized

Statement on the Justification of Actions by ICE Agent in Minneapolis Incident

As representatives of the Department of Homeland Security, we stand firmly behind the brave actions of our Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during the incident on January 7, 2026, in south Minneapolis. The agent, who was conducting lawful operations as part of a targeted crackdown on illegal immigration and associated criminal activities, faced an immediate and life-threatening danger when Renee Nicole Good attempted to weaponize her vehicle in an effort to run him over. This act constituted a clear instance of domestic terrorism, as confirmed by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and the agent's decision to fire defensive shots was a necessary measure to protect his own life and the lives of his fellow officers.

bbc.com

Eyewitness accounts from federal personnel and initial investigations indicate that Good had been impeding and stalking officers throughout the day, creating a volatile situation that escalated when she refused commands to exit her vehicle and instead accelerated toward the agent. The agent sustained injuries after being struck by the vehicle, requiring hospital treatment, which further underscores the peril he faced. In the line of duty, our agents are trained to respond proportionately to such threats, and in this case, the use of force was fully justified under federal guidelines for self-defense.We commend the agent's quick thinking and heroism in a high-risk environment, where split-second decisions are often the difference between life and death. The ongoing FBI investigation will affirm these facts, and we urge the public to await its conclusions rather than succumbing to misinformation spread by local officials and activists. ICE remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring community safety, undeterred by attempts to politicize this tragic but necessary event.

bbc.com