Minnesota investigators have been blocked from taking part in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Macklin Good by an ICE officer.
The head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said federal officials shut the state agency out of the case just hours after initially agreeing to work together.
BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said his agency was first told it would conduct a joint investigation with the FBI into the killing of the 37-year-old Minneapolis mother of three.
State investigators responded to the scene and began work, believing they would have full access to evidence and witnesses.
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That plan suddenly changed.
Evans said the FBI later informed the BCA that the U.S. attorney’s office had decided the investigation would now be led solely by federal authorities. The state agency would no longer be allowed access to evidence, interviews, or case materials.
Without that access, Evans said, the BCA could not meet Minnesota’s investigative standards.
“As a result, the BCA has reluctantly withdrawn from the investigation,” he said, warning that accountability and public trust cannot be achieved without full cooperation.
The move has only added to public anger already boiling over in Minneapolis.
Renee Macklin Good was shot in the head on Wednesday during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation tied to the Trump administration’s latest crackdown. Video of the shooting shows ICE officers surrounding her SUV before an agent fired at close range.
Federal officials claim the officer acted in self-defense.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey strongly rejected that explanation after reviewing the footage, calling it “garbage” and accusing federal leaders of trying to control the narrative.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agents, saying they will not leave Minnesota. She claimed the woman attempted to run officers over and labeled the incident an attack on ICE.
More than 2,000 federal officers have been deployed to the area. According to Noem, over 1,500 people have already been arrested.
Gov. Tim Walz expressed outrage over the shooting but urged protesters to remain peaceful, saying federal officials were looking for chaos.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
