Walz makes unannounced visit to Renee Good memorial
Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen made an unannounced visit Monday morning to the south Minneapolis memorial for Renee Nicole Good, the woman ICE officer Jonathan Ross shot and killed Jan. 7 at 34th and Portland. Arriving in a black SUV, they spoke briefly with mourners and left flowers, spending about 10 minutes at the site that has become a focal point for anger over the shooting and the Trump administration’s immigration surge in the Twin Cities. Federal officials claim Good tried to run Ross over when he fired three shots into her Honda Pilot; Minneapolis officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, say video instead shows her trying to drive away from Ross as he recklessly opened fire. The governor’s quiet appearance underscores how politically radioactive this shooting has become and adds pressure on federal agencies already facing protests, lawsuits, and demands for independent investigations into ICE tactics on city streets.
📌 Key Facts
- Walz and his wife visited the memorial for Renee Nicole Good on Portland Avenue near E. 34th Street shortly before 10 a.m. Monday.
- They arrived in a black SUV, spoke with mourners, and laid flowers, staying about 10 minutes before leaving.
- Good was killed Jan. 7 when ICE officer Jonathan Ross fired three shots into her vehicle during an encounter on Portland; federal claims she tried to run him over are disputed by Minneapolis officials who say she appeared to be driving away.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2025, DHS reported a 1,347% increase in assaults against ICE officers compared to 2024, with 275 assaults versus 19, including a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks (66 versus 2).
Radical Rhetoric by Sanctuary Politicians Leads to an Unprecedented 1,300% Increase in Assaults Against ICE Officers and a 3,200% Increase in Vehicular Attacks — U.S. Department of Homeland Security
As of January 2026, 98 individuals have been charged in Minnesota social services fraud schemes, with 85 being Somali-American and 62 convictions, involving over $1 billion in stolen funds from programs like child nutrition and day care.
2020s Minnesota fraud scandals — Wikipedia
Minnesota has the largest Somali population in the US, with approximately 107,000 people of Somali descent in 2024, representing about 2% of the state's population, and around 50,000 in Hennepin County (Minneapolis).
By the numbers: Minnesota’s Somali population, according to Census data — KTTC
Federal officers surged into Minnesota in late 2025 to investigate alleged fraud at day care centers, many operated by Somali residents, following a viral video claiming up to $100 million in fraud, leading to operations like the one on January 7, 2026.
Surge in federal officers in Minnesota focuses on alleged fraud at day care centers — PBS News
Reports indicate ICE has increased use of force during arrests in 2025, including nearly 50 instances of smashing car windows, compared to 8 in the previous decade.
Reported: Uses of force increase during immigration-enforcement actions — Immigration Policy Tracking Project
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