The FBI has taken charge of the investigation into shootings involving ICE agents in Minnesota, sidelining the state’s criminal bureau. This move raises questions about jurisdiction in the case.
Federal officials argue that the FBI’s authority is clear when it comes to the actions of federal agents. However, Minnesota leaders maintained on Friday that they intend to conduct their own parallel investigation into the shooting.
The issue came to light after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) noted that the FBI had excluded it from the inquiry. The incident involved an ICE officer who was recorded accelerating his vehicle towards 37-year-old Renee Good before shooting her.
While it’s not uncommon for the FBI and local agencies to collaborate on investigations, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that the federal government sees this shooting as not falling into that typical scenario.
“They have not been excluded. They have no jurisdiction in this investigation,” Noem said, framing the event as an attack on federal personnel. In contrast, Democratic Governor Tim Walz criticized the situation, suggesting it reflected a predetermined outcome of an ongoing investigation. The shooting has been condemned by many Democrats as murder and an improper use of force, though Noem and others from the Trump administration disagree.
Noem emphasized that officers felt their lives were threatened, arguing that the vehicle was used to perpetrate violence. “The officer acted to protect himself and other law enforcement officers,” she noted.
The FBI has chosen not to comment on the case.
According to federal law enforcement sources, this situation falls within the FBI’s typical jurisdiction. A letter from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche highlighted a similar situation in California, where he claimed that federal employees acting in their official capacity should not face state charges. Blanche mentioned that any attempt to arrest federal officers in the course of their duties would be seen as unlawful.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty asserted during a press conference that Minnesota prosecutors do hold authority over cases involving ICE agents. “We have jurisdiction to make decisions about what happened in this case,” she stated, indicating that the federal law enforcement status does not change that. Yet, she acknowledged that such cases can involve intricate legal questions.
Moriarty, alongside Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison, encouraged the public to provide tips and evidence for state prosecutors, expressing concern that the FBI was overlooking critical aspects of the investigation. Ellison questioned the FBI’s capacity for a fair inquiry and advocated for a national investigation, stressing the desire for a process that would yield fair and transparent results.
Blanche emphasized the importance of following proper procedures to preserve evidence in officer-involved shootings. However, sources conveyed skepticism from federal officials regarding Minnesota’s commitment to conducting a legitimate investigation, especially after comments from state leaders—like Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey—who dismissed the claims of self-defense by ICE officers.
A former FBI agent shared insights on the complexities of such investigations, suggesting that identifying federal violations could grant the FBI control over the inquiry, though success in doing so would depend on the nature of the crime.
