The FBI agent who initiated an investigation into a federal immigration officer’s fatal shooting of Renee Good has resigned from her role at the agency, according to multiple reports.
The agent, Tracee Mergen, worked in the Minneapolis Field Office as the acting supervisor of the Public Corruption Squad. She resigned last week after FBI leadership pressured her to discontinue the investigation into the Minneapolis fatal shooting, according to The New York Times.
The FBI has been leading its own investigation into the ICE officer who shot the 37-year-old mother, in an inquiry separate from that of local, Minnesota prosecutors.
“It is FBI policy not to comment on personnel matters,” the FBI’s Minneapolis field office told the Washington Examiner, in response to an inquiry about Mergen’s resignation.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Good on Jan. 7. Federal officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have stated the officer shot Good in an act of self-defense as she drove her car towards his direction. But many Democratic and state officials have pushed back on that assertion, as Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) organized a “Day of Unity” in response to Good’s killing.
The fatal shooting has lead to anti-ICE protests throughout Minnesota and the country.
The response has also included a debate between Minnesota and federal leaders over wether or not absolute immunity applies to the ICE officer who fatally shot Good.
DOJ SAYS ‘NO BASIS’ FOR CIVIL RIGHTS INVESTIGATION OF MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING
The Department of Justice announced on Jan. 14 that it would not conduct a criminal civil rights investigation into the shooting, saying there is “currently no basis” for one.
“As with any officer-involved shooting, each law enforcement agency has an internal investigation protocol, including DHS,” a DOJ official told the Washington Examiner earlier this month. “As such, ICE OPR has its own investigation underway. This runs parallel to any FBI investigation.”
