Justice for Renee Nicole Good:  a demand for an immediate full official independent state investigation of Ross.

On January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by a federal immigration officer in a residential neighborhood of Minneapolis. Almost immediately, following ordinary and standard protocol, the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agreed to a joint investigation of this tragic shooting. But, on January 9th.,  federal officials reversed course and blocked state investigators from accessing case materials, scene evidence and investigative interviews, including Good’s car and the shell casings. This is a departure from customary  cooperation between state and federal law enforcement.

Later, Kristi Noem declared that the state of Minnesota has no jurisdiction to investigate the killing. Soon thereafter, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Hennepin County  Attorney Mary Moriarty announced a state – level effort to collect and preserve evidence linked to the fatal ICE shooting and invited the public to submit any relevant information.  While collecting evidence is one component of an investigation, it  cannot replace a full, official, active state criminal investigation or an active grand jury investigation.

We, the undersigned now call for such an official, active, independent state criminal investigation of the events that transpired on January 7, 2026 for the following reasons.

1.  Federal law creates an unnecessarily high bar to federal  prosecution of Agent Ross.  The relevant statute, 18 United States Code Section 242, requires the federal government to prove that  Agent  Ross violated Ms. Good’s constitutional rights by acting “willfully” with a specific intent.  The federal government would have to prove that the defendant knew that what he was doing was wrong and he did it anyway. Mistake, poor judgment, or fear do not meet the standard. 

2. In contrast, Minnesota law would enable state prosecutors to charge Agent Ross with second-degree manslaughter which requires the state to prove “recklessness.”   That makes the relevant question: Did Agent Ross  engage in behavior that involved a gross deviation from a standard of conduct that a law-abiding reasonable law enforcement officer would engage in? Was he behaving in an egregious, unreasonable, and unauthorized way that caused the death of Ms.Good. Did his recklessness cause the death of Ms. Good? Since this is the most appropriate charge, the state should move forward immediately with an official, full, active investigation of its own without the FBI.

3. Contrary to ill-considered statements from Administration officials, neither the Supremacy Clause nor immunity doctrine stands as bar to a state investigation at this early stage.  Immunity shields federal actors for official actions only when they are performing authorized duties in a "necessary and proper" fashion.  If Agent Ross acted beyond the scope of his duties by violating federal law or by behaving in an egregious or unwarranted manner, the state prosecution against him can proceed. The issue will be: was his conduct egregious, unreasonable or unauthorized?  Ultimately, this will be resolved in a court but at this point state officials must investigate whether Agent Ross egregiously exceeded his authority. In addition,  his claims of self-defense must be evaluated.  However, all available evidence  suggests he was using deadly force to stop a fleeing vehicle  even though he was not in imminent danger of death of serious bodily injury.

4. Careful exploration of complex questions such as where the agent was located, when the shots were fired, why three shots were necessary, whether Ms.Good's car was headed toward or away from Agent Ross and whether Agent Ross had reason to fear for his life would be greatly facilitated if state prosecutors gain full access to Ms. Good's car, the shell casings and the FBI witness transcripts.  Such process should be granted immediately.  But even if access is denied, the state can proceed with the numerous public videos and public witness statements already available.  Moreover, the state should use its subpoena power, or if necessary file a motion to compel, to gain access to the car and the shell casings. And, of course, state prosecutors should interview any relevant witnesses.

 For these reasons we ask Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to launch on official, independent, active state investigation of  Agent Ross immediately. We ask them to begin interviewing witnesses, collecting evidence, issuing subpoenas, and  empaneling a grand jury.  Only in this way will  the people of Minnesota  know  that  a full and complete investigation of these events  will be undertaken.