Saint Paul and Minneapolis Archbishop Bernard Hebda urged prayer and calm on Jan. 7 after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a U.S. citizen in south Minneapolis. Officials said the incident occurred during a street encounter involving federal agents.
Authorities identified the victim as 37-year-old Renee Good. They reported that the ICE officer fired into her vehicle after an altercation, as she allegedly attempted to drive away while officers surrounded the car. The fatal shooting occurred in a residential neighbourhood.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem alleged that Good had been harassing and impeding agents before the incident. Law enforcement sources confirmed that the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are probing the incident.
In a statement, Hebda appealed for prayers for the deceased, her loved ones and the wider community. He emphasised the need to lower fear-filled rhetoric and to recognise all people as created in the image of God. The archbishop also echoed previous appeals by the U.S. Catholic bishops for meaningful immigration reform. He warned that prolonged political inaction was contributing to deeper division and violence. Minnesota officials criticised the shooting, while calls for accountability continued.