The U.S. Department of Justice has decided not to pursue a federal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis resident by a federal immigration officer in late 2025. The announcement coincides with the public release of body camera footage captured during the incident and a public statement issued by the victim’s family demanding accountability.
Incident Background
The shooting took place on October 25, 2025, at a residence on the south side of Minneapolis. The victim, identified as 48-year-old Renee Goods, was confronted by a fugitive operations team from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency during an attempted arrest. Goods was fatally wounded after a single gunshot was fired by an ICE agent at the scene.
Local police officers were present during the operation and one of them was wearing an activated body camera. The footage – released this week as part of ongoing transparency efforts – captures a tense encounter lasting less than two minutes between the officers’ arrival and the moment the fatal shot is fired.
In the recording, Goods can be heard shouting “I didn’t do nothing” and “get off me” as officers attempt to restrain him. Authorities later stated that the ICE agent discharged his weapon after Goods allegedly produced a knife. However, the camera angle does not clearly show his hands at the time of the shot, leaving a key moment of the confrontation obscured.
Federal Review Ends, State Review Continues
According to individuals familiar with the decision, the DOJ Civil Rights Division ultimately declined to open a federal civil rights case following its preliminary assessment of the facts. The move does not halt ongoing reviews at the local level. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office continues to examine the shooting to determine whether state charges against the ICE agent are warranted.
The agent involved was placed on administrative duty shortly after the incident, pending internal and external reviews.
Family Issues Statement, Demands Accountability
In a statement delivered through the Wynn Law Firm, Goods’s wife described the shooting as a devastating loss witnessed by their family inside their own home.
“My husband was a beautiful person, and his life mattered. He should be alive today,” the statement read. “He was killed by a federal immigration agent in our own home, in front of me and our children. We are devastated and demand full accountability.” The statement also called for the release of all evidence related to the case and urged that the agent be terminated and prosecuted.
Broader Context and Debate
The incident has intensified ongoing scrutiny of how federal immigration enforcement operations are conducted within U.S. cities, particularly in cases where local police departments play supporting roles. Legal experts note that the DOJ’s decision not to intervene does not prevent states from filing criminal charges nor does it preclude civil litigation from the family.
Community organizations have argued that the case highlights gaps in federal accountability mechanisms, especially when federal agencies operate within local jurisdictions without local oversight authority.
As of this week, Minneapolis officials say additional footage and records could be made available as the state investigation progresses. No timeline has been provided for charging decisions.
Russia Strikes Western Ukraine With High-Speed Missile as Peace Negotiations Stall – read the full breakdown in our detailed blog to understand the unfolding geopolitical tension.
