This article may contain commentary
which reflects the author’s opinion.
Wednesday’s fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renée Nicole Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis has drawn strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Federal officials maintain the officer fired after Good’s vehicle moved toward agents during a law enforcement operation, a characterization defended by Homeland Security leadership as necessary to protect lives.
Critics — mostly Democratic local officials and Good’s family — contend the use of deadly force was unjustified and have questioned the federal account of events.
The incident has fueled nationwide debate over ICE’s tactics and use-of-force policies, with public commentary ranging from calls for accountability to assertions that the officer acted within legal bounds. Law enforcement experts and active officers are also weighing in on how such encounters are viewed within police and federal enforcement communities.
Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling shared his thoughts during a segment on Fox News that began circulating on the social media platform X on Thursday.
While Snelling did not specifically address the situation in Minneapolis, he did address the broader situation regarding vehicles being used against officers.
Snelling began by tackling the unfounded claims by some – including other police officials – that ICE agents aren’t considered law enforcement. “Federal agents — ICE, HSI — are officers. They are agents of law enforcement,” he said during a press briefing.
“If you box them in with vehicles, it is reasonable for them to believe that they are being ambushed, and that this could end in a deadly situation. And it’s reasonable for them to use force based on those conditions. Do not box in any law enforcement officer,” he continued.
“You are breaking the law when you do that, and you are putting yourself in danger,” he said.
“Following law enforcement agents around — the question is why? What do you plan on doing? It’s also reasonable for them to believe that you are eventually going to do harm to them,” Snelling went on.
“If you ram any vehicle, especially that one that contains law enforcement agents, and that’s any law enforcement — local, state, federal, county — and you do this intentionally, this is considered deadly force. Deadly force is anything that can cause great bodily harm or death,” the Chicago top cop said.
WATCH:
His remarks come after Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal claimed in a public press conference following the shooting that ICE agents were “fake” and “phony,” and vowed to arrest them during the performance of their duties.
According to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, as reported by the New York Post, Good had been following ICE around, “stalking and impeding” federal officers all that day.
Noem also said Friday she will continue to stand with law enforcement as protests targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers spread across the country.
“I want to take a moment to express how thankful I am every single day for the men and women who put on the badge and put their lives on the line to protect the American people,” Noem said on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. “With more than 80,000 officers and agents, our Department is the largest law enforcement agency in the federal government.”
Noem suggested that Americans should take a moment to buy law enforcement officers coffee or a meal as a way to say thank you.
“We recognize the sacrifice you and your families make to protect and serve the American people and our great country. President Trump and I will always stand with you,” she said. “Please take some time today to thank an officer or agent today. Make them a meal, buy them a cup of coffee, or simply thank them. To every officer who puts on the badge each day: thank you. Your service is paramount to our nation’s safety.”
The Department of Homeland Security said assaults against its officers have increased sharply, citing a 1,300% rise in attacks, a 3,200% increase in vehicular assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
