"Mostly Peaceful" Protests Erupt Following Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

Minneapolis, Minnesota - January 10, 2026 - Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in Minneapolis and cities across the United States on Saturday, protesting the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a federal immigration enforcement operation earlier this week.

The incident, which occurred on January 7 or 8, has sparked over 1,000 planned protests nationwide, with calls for accountability, an independent investigation, and the abolition of ICE.Good, a U.S. citizen and volunteer in a community network that monitors ICE operations, was shot in the head by ICE agent Jonathan Ross while in her vehicle during a large-scale raid in Minneapolis.

Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding the circumstances: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains that the agent acted in self-defense after Good drove her vehicle toward him following an order to exit the car. Minnesota officials and bystander video, however, suggest the vehicle was turning away from the agent at the time of the shooting. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has referred to Good as a "domestic terrorist," a characterization that has further inflamed tensions.

In Minneapolis, where the metropolitan area has a population of 3.8 million, protests have been largely peaceful during daytime hours, with rallies at locations such as Powderhorn Park and George Floyd Square, followed by marches chanting slogans like "Abolish ICE" and "No justice, no peace - get ICE off our streets."

Demonstrations led by Indigenous Mexican dancers drew crowds estimated in the tens of thousands, braving cold winds and temperatures around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Protester Ellison Montgomery, 30, expressed anger and heartbreak, hoping for improvement in the situation.

Escalations occurred during nighttime hours, particularly on Friday evening outside hotels such as the Canopy by Hilton and the Depot Renaissance, where protesters believed federal agents were staying. One Minneapolis police officer sustained minor injuries after being struck by a chunk of ice thrown during Friday night's clashes. No serious injuries or fatalities have been widely reported among protesters or others from the ongoing demonstrations.Minneapolis police reported 29–30 arrests from Friday night into Saturday morning, primarily for offenses such as blocking roads, unlawful assembly, or property damage.

Those arrested were cited and released rather than held long-term.Property damage has been modest and targeted. Reports include broken windows and graffiti at the Depot Renaissance Hotel (estimated at approximately $6,000 in damage), some window damage at the Canopy by Hilton area, and isolated vandalism. No widespread reports of stores being systematically smashed or looted have emerged, unlike the broader destruction seen during the 2020 George Floyd unrest.

Video footage from Friday night shows Minneapolis police officers, including Chief Brian O'Hara, backing away and repositioning as a large crowd of protesters advanced outside the Canopy Hotel area amid shouts and thrown objects. Official statements from MPD Chief O'Hara and Mayor Jacob Frey have emphasized de-escalation, protecting public safety, and arresting those causing damage while noting that most activity has remained peaceful.

\The situation remains fluid, with ongoing rallies and demonstrations. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has authorized the staging of the National Guard as a precaution. Authorities continue to monitor developments closely amid deep divisions over the shooting and the broader federal immigration enforcement actions.