The Legal Maze: Can an ICE Officer Be Charged After a Minneapolis Shooting?

A recent shooting in Minneapolis involving an ICE officer has sparked a heated debate. Renee Good, a local resident, was shot by ICE officer Jonathan Ross. The incident was caught on camera, showing Good in her vehicle, seemingly trying to drive away while Ross was in front of it. Ross fired multiple shots, with some hitting the windshield and others possibly through the driver's side window. Federal officials claim Ross acted in self-defense, stating that Good interfered with ICE operations and committed an "act of domestic terrorism" by driving towards Ross. However, Minneapolis leaders dispute this, arguing that the video shows Ross acting recklessly. The question on everyone's mind is whether Ross could face charges. Minnesota prosecutors are investigating, but bringing a successful case is challenging. A legal expert, David Schultz, explains that federal law enforcement officers have significant protections.One major hurdle is the Supremacy Clause, which makes federal law the supreme law of the land. This clause can make it difficult for state and local governments to hold federal agents criminally responsible. Schultz notes that prosecutors would need to prove that Ross was not acting in an official capacity but as a private individual. Given that Ross followed instructions, this is a high bar to meet. Even if prosecutors clear this hurdle, they would still need to prove that the use of force was not objectively reasonable. This is another high bar, as law enforcement officers are generally given the benefit of the doubt in such situations. Schultz emphasizes that proving a crime occurred would be the final challenge. If criminal charges seem unlikely, civil action might still be an option. Good's family could potentially sue the U. S. government, seeking justice and accountability through the civil court system.