Minneapolis Mayor Urges State Participation in ICE Shooting Investigation, Criticizes DOJ’s Pam Bondi

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey issued an urgent call on Friday for state investigators to step in and probe the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an agent of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Frey expressed deep concerns over the Trump administration’s portrayal of the incident.

The mayor’s comments came after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced on Thursday that it was pulling out of the investigation. The decision followed the FBI’s refusal to grant access to essential materials needed for a comprehensive and unbiased review. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem responded by stating, “They have not been cut out; they don’t have any jurisdiction in this investigation.”

Mayor Frey underscored the importance of integrity in Minneapolis, especially in times of tragedy. “In Minneapolis, when a tragedy strikes, integrity is paramount. This is not the time to bend the rules but a time to adhere to the law. It’s a moment to confront the facts head-on, ensuring transparency at every stage,” Frey declared on Friday.

He voiced his unease over the early conclusions drawn by Pam Bondi’s Department of Justice and the presidential administration. “It is deeply troubling that they have already labeled the victim as a ‘domestic terrorist’ and characterized the agent’s actions as defensive. This suggests that conclusions were formed from the outset, whether explicitly or implicitly,” Frey added.

The tension surrounding the case is heightened by the differing perspectives of Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Attorney General Pam Bondi, as captured in images by Tyrone Siu and Jonathan Ernst for Reuters.

“Our ask is to embrace the truth. Our ask is to include the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in this process, because we in Minneapolis want a fair investigation. Is it deeply concerning that this administration, from the very get go, is drawing the conclusion that they may ultimately come to? Of course, it is,” Frey added. “And if you got nothing to hide from, then don’t hide from it. Include local experts in the process. We got nothing to hide from here. All we want in Minneapolis is justice and the truth.” 

Fox News Digital has reached out to the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security for comment. 

Frey said Friday, “There is some precedent that is important here.”

A Border Patrol Tactical Unit agent sprays pepper spray into the face of an agitator attempting to block an immigration officer’s vehicle in Minneapolis, Minn., on Jan. 7, 2025. (Alex Kormann/The Minnesota Star Tribune via Getty Images)

“There have been instances in the past where there was some form of shooting or an officer-involved killing that took place by federal agents or U.S. marshals or beyond, that did have local and state entities in control. By the way, we’re not even talking just about full control here,” the Democratic mayor said. “We’re talking about being at the table. We’re talking about an investigation that includes the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.” 

Frey also insisted Friday that his city is “safe” and is not a “post-apocalyptic hellscape.”

“I have heard countless people talk about Minneapolis — many of them who have never been here — it is some form of post-apocalyptic hellscape. As a place that is dangerous. Well let me give you a statistic. Fifty percent of the shootings that have happened thus far in Minneapolis this year have been ICE,” Frey told reporters, days after the shooting death of Renee Nicole Good.  

Members of law enforcement work the scene following a shooting by an ICE agent during federal operations on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minn. (Stephen Maturen/Getty)

“In other words, we’ve only had two shootings. One of them has been ICE. We are a safe city,” Frey added. “ICE is making it less so. We are a city of unity. But ICE is trying to divide us and tear us apart.”