U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem doubled down on her characterization of the fatal shooting of a woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis as the result of an “act of domestic terrorism” while criticizing Minnesota’s immigration policies.

Flanked by federal agents at Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota, Noem addressed reporters in the wake of the Jan. 7 shooting by first lamenting the loss of life while calling the incident “preventable” by the shooting victim.

“We’re just enforcing the laws that have been in this country for years,” she said, stating the victim and others at the scene were harassing agents during an operation.

Noem made similar comments earlier Wednesday morning in Texas during a visit to discuss border security.

In a detailing of what the DHS says happened Wednesday morning, Noem said that around 10:30 a.m., one of her agency’s vehicles became stuck in the snow. Law enforcement agents were attempting to push the vehicle out of the snow, Noem said, when a “mob of agitators” began blocking them in and shouting at them.

Noem said the driver, who has been identified by family as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, was harassing and impeding ICE agents. Noem said, agents repeatedly told Good to get out of the car, but she refused to obey. Noem then said Good “proceeded to weaponize her vehicle, and she attempted to run a law enforcement officer over.”

Noem said an ICE agent fired “defensive shots” in line with his training and was hit by the vehicle and was treated at the hospital and then later released.

Witnesses to the shooting that occurred on East 34th Street and Portland Avenue quickly disputed the Trump administration’s account of the incident, claiming Good was shot while trying to leave the scene in her car. The shooting has sparked protests in Minneapolis and prompted strong condemnation from state and city leaders, including Mayor Jacob Frey, who called for ICE to leave.

Asked about Frey disputing claims that the shooting was made in self-defense, Noem said the mayor “doesn’t know what he’s talking about” and that the ICE agent was following training at the moment.

Noem said the DHS will follow standard protocol procedures to investigate the use of force but did not provide further details about the agent’s employment status.

She said the agent was admitted to the hospital for injuries related to the encounter. He’s since been released, she said. Noem said the agent had previously been dragged by a driver in Minneapolis in June.

Noem said she discussed the shooting with President Donald Trump and Gov. Tim Walz, whom she acknowledged holds a different view of the shooting. Noem said deployment of the National Guard, as seen in Chicago and other U.S. cities, has “not been part of the discussion.” She cast sharp critiques against the state’s leadership over its so-called sanctuary policies that limit local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal immigration agents.

“This city has burned before, and your mayor and your governor let it happen,” she said. “Our federal law enforcement officers are here to bring peace and to bring public safety and to ensure that criminal activity is stopped.”

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