Birmingham, Alabama, January 11, 2026
In Birmingham, Alabama, community members have gathered to protest and demand accountability following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. The incident has sparked a nationwide outcry, leading to demonstrations in multiple cities. Local leaders emphasize the need for transparency in the ongoing investigation, as conflicting narratives emerge regarding the shooting. Residents seek justice for Good, who was a mother, poet, and community advocate.
Birmingham Demands Accountability Following Fatal ICE Shooting of Renee Good
Birmingham, Alabama – Protesters in Birmingham have taken to the streets, demanding accountability and transparency following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Macklin Good by an agent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These local demonstrations, which included a vigil and a protest outside a federal courthouse, are part of a growing nationwide outcry that erupted in the wake of the incident.
Local Protests Echo Nationwide Calls for Justice
In Birmingham, residents gathered in Five Points South for a vigil to honor Renee Good. Subsequently, a protest was held outside a federal courthouse, where attendees chanted slogans critical of federal immigration enforcement and the current administration. These actions in Birmingham reflect a broader wave of protests that have emerged across the United States since the shooting on January 7, 2026.
Details of the Minneapolis Shooting Incident
The tragic event unfolded in Minneapolis when Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Good was in her SUV during an ongoing ICE operation when agents approached her vehicle. Reports indicate that one agent ordered her to exit the car. As Good began to drive away, an agent reached into the driver’s side window, and then agent Ross fired three shots, killing Good as her vehicle moved forward.
Conflicting Narratives Emerge
Immediately following the shooting, conflicting accounts of the incident surfaced. Federal officials, including President Donald Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, asserted that the agent acted in self-defense, claiming Good attempted to run him over with her vehicle. Homeland Security also described Good’s actions as an “act of domestic terrorism.”
However, this narrative has been strongly disputed by eyewitnesses, analyses of video footage by journalists, local figures, and Democratic Party lawmakers. They argue that video evidence does not support the claim that Good’s vehicle was used as a weapon and suggest she was attempting to flee the scene. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have publicly rejected the federal government’s claims, with Governor Walz stating he had seen the video and urged the public not to believe federal “propaganda.”
Victim Profile and Broader Context
Renee Good was identified as a mother of three and a widow. City leaders in Minneapolis stated that she was a legal observer of federal actions in the city and was not a target for an ICE-related arrest. She was also known as a poet and a member of the LGBTQI+ community. The incident occurred amidst a large-scale immigration enforcement operation announced by the Department of Homeland Security on January 6, which involved sending 2,000 agents to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area.
Investigation and Nationwide Response
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is exclusively investigating the shooting of Renee Good. Initially, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) was part of a joint investigation. However, the FBI later reversed course, denying the BCA access to critical case materials, scene evidence, and investigative interviews, raising concerns among Minnesota state investigators and officials about the fairness and transparency of the investigation.
The protests demanding accountability have spread beyond Minneapolis. Demonstrations have been reported in various major cities, including Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and Portland, Oregon. Participants in these nationwide protests are calling for a full, transparent investigation into Good’s death and an end to what they describe as aggressive and unaccountable immigration enforcement tactics. Federal agents have responded to some protests in Minneapolis with chemical irritants and physical force, leading to arrests.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When and where did the shooting of Renee Good occur?
- Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on January 7, 2026.
- Who was Renee Good?
- Renee Good was a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, a mother of three, a widow, a poet, a member of the LGBTQI+ community, and a legal observer of federal actions.
- What are the conflicting accounts surrounding the shooting?
- Federal officials claim the agent acted in self-defense, asserting Good attempted to run him over with her vehicle. However, eyewitnesses, journalists’ video analysis, and local officials dispute this, suggesting Good was attempting to flee and did not weaponize her vehicle.
- Where have protests demanding accountability taken place?
- Protests have occurred nationwide, including in Minneapolis, Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Portland, Oregon, and Birmingham, Alabama.
- What is the status of the investigation into Renee Good’s shooting?
- The shooting is being investigated exclusively by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Minnesota state investigators have expressed concerns after being denied access to crucial evidence and interviews.
Key Features of the Renee Good Shooting and Protests
| Feature | Details | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Victim | Renee Nicole Macklin Good, 37-year-old U.S. citizen, mother of three, widow, poet, legal observer, member of the LGBTQI+ community. | Local (Minneapolis, MN) / Nationwide interest |
| Incident Date | January 7, 2026 | Local (Minneapolis, MN) |
| Location of Shooting | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Local (Minneapolis, MN) |
| Alleged Perpetrator | ICE agent Jonathan Ross | Federal (U.S.) |
| Official Federal Claim | Agent acted in self-defense; Good used vehicle as a weapon (“act of domestic terrorism”). | Nationwide |
| Counter-Claim | Eyewitnesses, video analysis, and local officials dispute federal account; Good was attempting to flee, not weaponize vehicle. | Nationwide |
| Investigation Status | Exclusively by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Minnesota state investigators denied access to evidence. | Federal (U.S.) / State-level (Minnesota concerns) |
| Protest Locations | Minneapolis, Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Portland, Oregon, Birmingham, Alabama, and other cities. | Nationwide |
| Protest Demands | Accountability, transparent investigation, end to aggressive ICE enforcement. | Nationwide |
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Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
