One month after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, the city finds itself at the crossroads of grief, protest, and political turbulence. The events of February 7, 2026, marked a poignant moment for the community, as hundreds gathered to honor Good’s memory while federal crackdowns continued to spark outrage and unrest across the Twin Cities.
Becca Good, Renee’s wife, released a heartfelt statement on the anniversary, expressing gratitude for the community’s resilience in the face of loss and fear. “Minneapolis has shown me that even in the middle of grief and fear, people still show up for each other,” her statement read, as reported by MPR News. “Thank you to this incredible community for showing up again and again — organizing food and rides, making sure our kids get to school, checking in on neighbors, and standing together in the cold.”
Renee Good, 37, was killed on January 7, 2026, during an immigration enforcement operation on Portland Avenue. According to the Star Tribune, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fired three shots—one through the windshield and two through the driver’s side window—as Good, behind the wheel of her SUV, attempted to drive away after agents demanded she move during their operation. The incident quickly became a flashpoint in the city’s ongoing struggle with the federal government’s immigration policies.
Just two and a half weeks after Good’s death, another Minneapolis resident, Alex Pretti, also 37, was fatally shot by federal agents during a separate immigration enforcement action on Nicollet Avenue. Becca Good, in her statement, underscored the broader toll of these crackdowns: “Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last. You know my wife’s name, and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine. They are neighbors, friends, coworkers, classmates. And we must also know their names. Because this shouldn’t happen to anyone.”
The city’s pain spilled into the streets on February 7, as more than 40 protesters were arrested outside the Whipple Federal Building after refusing to disperse, according to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office. The demonstration, which began peacefully, escalated after dispersal orders were issued around 2 p.m. Law enforcement reported property damage and a deputy being struck in the head, while a squad vehicle’s windshield was broken. “While many individuals are peacefully protesting, some agitators have engaged in unlawful behavior, including damaging property and throwing ice chunks,” the Sheriff’s Office stated, as cited by Bring Me The News.
Throughout the day, the north metro area, including Brooklyn Center, New Hope, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park, saw a flurry of ICE activity and reported arrests. Protesters at the Whipple Building employed unusual tactics, including the now-infamous act of throwing sex toys at police barricades, a moment captured in various social media posts and local news coverage.
The protest scene was further complicated by the arrival of right-wing influencers Jake Lang and Jayden Scott. Lang, who had been charged earlier in the week with destroying an anti-ICE sculpture at the Minnesota Capitol, made a conspicuous appearance at the Whipple protest, reportedly shielded inside a U-Haul truck and accompanied by masked men with what appeared to be less-lethal weapons. According to Bring Me The News, at least one protester reported being pepper sprayed by Lang as the vehicle moved through the crowd.
Meanwhile, the city’s political leaders and activists continued to voice concerns about federal tactics. Former State Representative Ryan Winkler posted a video to social media alleging that ICE agents parked outside his home while he was hosting a “resistance training” event. Winkler described the incident as an act of intimidation, stating, “That is why we have to fight back. I will not be intimidated. None of us in Minnesota should be intimidated.”
Adding to the controversy, the Star Tribune conducted an investigation into the license plates on ICE vehicles used for enforcement actions. Their review of more than 100 plates revealed that nearly 60% were not registered with the state of Minnesota, including the Chevy Tahoe driven by agent Jonathan Ross during the shooting of Renee Good. An additional 11% had other irregularities, such as expired tabs or registrations to nonexistent businesses. While law enforcement agencies sometimes use undercover registration programs, officials declined to comment on whether these vehicles were part of such a protocol.
Turmoil was also brewing within Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney’s Office. According to The New York Times, the aftermath of Good’s killing saw a wave of resignations from federal prosecutors. Joseph Thompson, the former interim U.S. Attorney, initially announced that the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension would join the FBI in investigating whether the shooting was justified or violated Good’s civil rights. However, senior Trump administration officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, reportedly ordered a halt to the investigation, fearing it would contradict President Donald Trump’s public claims that Good had “violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer.”
Elsewhere in the state, immigration enforcement continued to affect families. In a case that drew widespread attention, 5-year-old Columbia Heights student Liam Ramos and his father faced deportation after being detained and transferred to Texas. On February 7, a judge granted a continuance, postponing their deportation proceedings and allowing the family to return home to Minnesota for the time being, as reported by MS Now.
The federal government’s position remained unyielding. Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s border czar, told KSTP that the ongoing Operation Metro Surge could end “in a couple of weeks,” but only if public protests subsided. “I want to get it done quickly. But again, I need some help from the governor and the mayor to get the message out to the public,” Homan said, while emphasizing that he would not reduce the federal security presence if he believed officers were at risk. Both Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey have consistently called for peaceful protest.
Meanwhile, federal court proceedings revealed that the “overwhelming majority” of cases brought by ICE in recent months involved people who were in the United States legally, according to a federal judge cited by Bring Me The News. This revelation only deepened concerns among community members and local officials about the scope and fairness of the enforcement actions.
Amid these developments, Becca Good’s words resonated with many: “Seeing the world now celebrate the parts of her that I’ve always known — the kindness, the humor, the warmth — reminds me of her spirit.” Renee Good, remembered as a volunteer, teacher, mother, and friend, became a symbol of the human cost of the nation’s immigration battles — a cost that continues to ripple through Minneapolis and beyond.
The city, still reeling from tragedy, faces difficult questions about justice, accountability, and the meaning of community in an era of heightened enforcement and political division. As the debate rages on, Minneapolis stands as a testament to both the pain and the strength that can emerge when ordinary people refuse to look away.