Stephen A. Smith Deems Minnesota ICE Agent’s Fatal Shooting ‘Completely Justified’ but Questions Necessity
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — ESPN host Stephen A. Smith offered a nuanced perspective on the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minnesota, describing the incident as “completely justified” from a legal standpoint while questioning whether lethal force was necessary. Smith’s comments came during an appearance on his podcast, where he analyzed the circumstances surrounding the shooting that has sparked intense public debate.
Good, who was operating a vehicle at the time, was ordered by ICE agents to exit. When she refused and allegedly attempted to ram the agents with her car, one agent fired, resulting in her death. According to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Good’s actions were characterized as “an act of domestic terrorism,” and the agent’s response was described as a defensive measure to protect himself and others.
Smith acknowledged the legal justification for the shooting, stating, “From a lawful perspective as it pertains to a law enforcement official, don’t expect him to be prosecuted. He was completely justified.” However, he also expressed reservations about the use of lethal force, suggesting alternative measures such as shooting the tires of Good’s vehicle might have been possible. “If you could move out the way, that means you could have shot the tires,” Smith said. “You didn’t have to do that. She wasn’t driving down the road coming at you 90 miles an hour. She was parked in the middle of the street.”
The operation was part of a large-scale effort involving a 2,000-member ICE team deployed to the Twin Cities to apprehend and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal records. The incident has intensified scrutiny on ICE’s tactics and the broader immigration enforcement policies under the current administration.
Members of the Minneapolis City Council quickly responded, confirming Good’s identity and calling her “a member of our community” in a joint statement that demanded ICE’s departure from the city. This reaction reflects ongoing tensions between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement agencies.
Data released by the Department of Homeland Security in December highlighted a dramatic surge in assaults against ICE officers, noting a more than 1,150% increase in violent attacks from January to November 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The report recorded 238 assaults on ICE personnel in 2025, up from just 19 the previous year, underscoring the heightened risks faced by immigration agents.
Legal experts and former officials have weighed in on the incident as well. Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr criticized what he called the “demonization” of ICE agents, emphasizing the challenges law enforcement faces in volatile encounters. The shooting has also reignited debates about the appropriate use of force by federal officers and the balance between public safety and humanitarian concerns.
As the investigation continues, the incident remains a flashpoint in the national conversation about immigration enforcement, law enforcement accountability, and community relations. The Department of Justice has launched a probe into the shooting to determine whether the agent’s actions complied with federal laws and policies.
Stephen A. Smith’s commentary encapsulates the complex emotions surrounding the case — recognizing the legal grounds for the shooting while questioning the necessity of lethal force in a situation where alternatives might have been available. The tragic loss of Renee Nicole Good continues to resonate across Minnesota and the nation as authorities, activists, and communities grapple with the implications of this fatal encounter.
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