New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani calls the deadly shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis “murder,” blaming Trump-era policies amid conflicting video evidence and nationwide unrest. Tensions boil over as video footage sparks outrage and protests, highlighting deep divides in U.S. immigration enforcement.
In a bold escalation of criticism against federal immigration tactics, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has labeled the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis as outright “murder.” Speaking on CNN, Mamdani tied the incident to what he called a “year full of cruelty” under the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation drives.
The January 7, 2026, shooting-captured on video-has ignited protests across cities and drawn sharp rebukes from local leaders, underscoring the human cost of heightened enforcement operations. As the FBI probes the case, questions swirl over use of force and accountability in America’s immigration system.
A Deadly Encounter Captured on Video:
The shooting unfolded on a residential street in Minneapolis’s South Uptown area during a federal immigration operation tied to allegations of fraud among Somali residents. According to official accounts from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE agents stopped Good’s SUV as part of a broader deployment of over 2,000 officers to the Twin Cities. Video footage from the agent’s cellphone and bystanders shows Good’s wife urging her to “drive, baby, drive” amid verbal confrontations with agents.
The vehicle accelerated, allegedly dragging Agent Jonathan Ross briefly, prompting him to fire several shots through the windshield. Good was struck in the face and died at the scene after her van crashed into another vehicle. Onlookers, including a physician, offered aid but were reportedly rebuffed by agents. The DHS maintains the shooting was justified self-defense, with Secretary Kristi Noem describing Good’s actions as an “act of domestic terrorism” using her vehicle as a weapon.
The wheels appear turned away from the agent, and Good seemed to be driving away rather than toward him when shots were fired. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed the self-defense narrative as “garbage” and demanded ICE withdraw from his city, stating the deployment does not enhance public safety.
Mamdani's Fiery Response: 'A Glimpse Into Cruelty':
Newly sworn-in on January 1, 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old immigrant and vocal critic of federal immigration policies, wasted no time weighing in. In a statement issued shortly after the shooting, he declared, “This morning, an ICE agent murdered a woman in Minneapolis-only the latest horror in a year full of cruelty.” During a January 8 CNN interview with Kaitlan Collins, Mamdani doubled down, asserting that the video evidence led him-and many Americans-to conclude it was murder.
He questioned ICE training protocols, saying, “If that is following his training, then I think there are larger questions about the training that’s being provided to ICE agents. Mamdani, who has pledged to resist ICE operations in New York, highlighted the fear among the city’s over three million immigrants, including himself. His comments have drawn praise from some as “leadership with a spine,” while others label them “insurrectionist language.”
Broader Context: Trump's Deportation Drive and Rising Tensions:
This incident arrives amid President Trump’s second-term push for mass deportations, including operations targeting undocumented immigrants and alleged fraud networks. Minnesota’s Somali community has been a focal point, with federal agents surging into the state. Good, a U.S. citizen not targeted for deportation, became collateral in what critics call overreach.
Mamdani’s stance aligns with his history as a Democratic socialist and anti-ICE advocate. Elected in November 2025 after a stunning primary win, he has vowed to protect New Yorkers from federal “fascism.” The shooting revives echoes of past controversies, like the 2020 George Floyd killing in the same city, fueling debates on federal versus local authority and use-of-force standards in immigration enforcement.