FBI cuts Minnesota police out of probe of fatal ICE agent shooting
The FBI has taken over the investigation into an ICE agent fatally shooting a woman in Minnesota, completely cutting local authorities out of the probe.
Minnesota state police will “no longer have access to the case materials, scene evidence or investigative interviews necessary to complete a thorough and independent investigation,” said Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans.
Though the FBI would normally take the lead on such an investigation, it would also usually work together with state authorities, Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said at a press conference.
The Minnesota BCA would welcome the opportunity to work with the FBI on the case, Jacobson added. FBI leaders and Minnesota BCA leaders had previously agreed to cooperate, but the U.S. Attorney’s office stepped in and gave full control to the FBI, Evans said.
“Without complete access to the evidence, witnesses and information collected, we cannot meet the investigative standards that Minnesota law and the public demands,” Evans said. “As a result, the BCA has reluctantly withdrawn from the investigation.”
A masked ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, 37, as she attempted to move her car during an immigration operation in Minneapolis on Wednesday.
Though video did not appear to show any imminent danger to the agents, who walked away with no apparent injuries, President Trump and high-ranking members of his administration immediately blamed Good and hailed the unnamed agent.
During his first year back in office, Trump has shown a willingness to use the Justice Department for political purposes, dropping a corruption case against former New York mayor Eric Adams while launching investigations against his political enemies, including former FBI director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Good is the fifth person to be killed during an ICE operation nationwide during Trump’s second term, but her killing was the first one caught on video. No agents have faced charges for the other four incidents.