Minneapolis shooting: Justice department blocks civil rights probe - Here’s what we know so far

The killing of the 37-year-old American woman Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7 has become a national flashpoint amid the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement drive, sparking public anger and sharp disagreement over whether the use of lethal force was justified.Good was fatally shot while seated in her SUV during an ICE operation in Minneapolis, and according to the federal officials, the agent acted in self-defence, alleging that Good attempted to run him over. However, this claim was dismissed by eyewitnesses, journalists, local officials and Democratic lawmakers, who point to video footage suggesting that Good was trying to drive away, not toward, the officer when he fired. Meanwhile, protests have spread nationwide, with federal authorities sending more agents to Minnesota and officers in Minneapolis using tear gas and eye irritants during clashes with demonstrators, while students in a suburban school walked out to protest the Trump administration’s sweeping immigration actions.Here’s what we know so far:

Justice department blocks civil rights probe

The Justice department has said it does not believe there is any basis at this time to open a criminal civil rights probe into the killing.

On Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement that “there is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation.” The statement, first reported by CNN, did not explain how the department reached its conclusion.While an FBI investigation remains ongoing, lawyers in the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division were informed last week that they would not be involved in the probe.

Prosecutors resign amid turmoil

The decision to sideline the Civil Rights Division has led to internal upheaval. At least six federal prosecutors in Minnesota have resigned, the Associated Press reported citing people familiar with the matter. Several supervisors in the Civil Rights Division’s criminal section also gave notice of their departures after the department blocked state participation in the investigation into Good’s death.

Widespread protests across the US

Good’s killing has sparked widespread anger over the use of force during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

Thousands have marched through Minneapolis, while protests have also been held in Chicago, New York City, Washington, DC and hundreds of other towns and cities nationwide.On Tuesday, federal officers deployed tear gas and eye irritants to disperse crowds in Minneapolis. Minnesota leaders have urged protesters to remain peaceful, even as tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement continue to escalate.More than 1,000 rallies were planned nationwide over the weekend, highlighting the scale of opposition to the administration’s deportation drive.

Trump administration defends ICE

President Donald Trump has repeatedly defended ICE and Jonathan Ross, the officer involved in the shooting.Responding to questions about the killing of Renee Nicole Good, Trump said, “I would bet you that she, under normal circumstances, was a very solid, wonderful person,” while maintaining that her actions were “pretty tough”.Trump defended ICE enforcement efforts and blamed illegal immigration on policies under former President Joe Biden. “We have hundreds of thousands of murderers in our countries, killers,” Trump said. “ICE is trying to get them out.”He said video footage of the incident could be interpreted in different ways and argued that ICE agents were operating under difficult conditions.

DHS calls incident ‘domestic terrorism’

The Department of Homeland Security defended the actions of ICE officers, claiming they were responding to a distress call from fellow agents who were under attack by agitators.

According to DHS, one officer, fearing for his life, fired his weapon defensively.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Good’s actions as "domestic terrorism". According to Noem, Good refused to obey orders to exit her vehicle, “weaponised her vehicle” and “attempted to run” over an officer.Minnesota officials strongly rejected Noem’s claim, citing videos that appear to show Good attempting to drive away rather than toward agents.Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy and Homeland Security Advisor, said in an interview with Fox News that ICE officers have federal immunity while carrying out their duties.“You have immunity to perform your duties, and no one—no city official, no state official, no illegal alien, no leftist agitator or domestic insurrectionist—can prevent you from fulfilling your legal obligations and duties,” Miller said.

What viral video shows

A 47-second video of the incident, obtained by Minnesota-based conservative outlet Alpha News, shows masked officers approaching Good’s car, which was stopped at an unusual angle on a Minneapolis street. The car reverses and then pulls forward, briefly moving in the direction of the officer who later opened fire at close range.US Vice President JD Vance shared the footage on social media, saying the agent acted in self-defence.“Many of you have been told this law enforcement officer wasn’t hit by a car, wasn’t being harassed, and murdered an innocent woman,” Vance wrote. “The reality is that his life was endangered and he fired in self defense.”However, a New York Times analysis contradicted that claim, concluding that Good appeared to be steering her vehicle away from the agent when he shot her.

Who was Renee Nicole Good?

Renee Nicole Good was a 37-year-old mother of three, a prize-winning poet and a hobby guitarist.

City leaders have said she was present as a legal observer of ICE activities, though her ex-husband told the Associated Press that she was not an activist and was simply driving home after dropping off her six-year-old son at school.State Representative Leigh Finke of St. Paul paid tribute to Good, calling her “a loved and celebrated community member, who has now been stripped away from her family.”

What her parents said?

Good’s mother, Donna Ganger, told the Minnesota Star Tribune that her daughter was “probably terrified” during the confrontation and was “one of the kindest people I’ve ever known”.“She was extremely compassionate,” Ganger said. “She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.”Her father, Tim Ganger, told the Washington Post that “she had a good life, but a hard life”.