Minneapolis Schools Shut Down As Unrest Rises After ICE Shooting
The Minneapolis Public School District (MPS) has canceled classes in the city for the rest of the week due to safety concerns, as unrest escalates following the deadly shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Wednesday.
Federal agents shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, 37, in her vehicle after she allegedly attempted to run over a law enforcement officer participating in “targeted operations” in the area. In an email sent to district families, MPS announced that schools would be closed Thursday and Friday out of an “abundance of caution” and out of concern for safety. (RELATED: Shocking Video Captures Fatal ICE Shooting During Minneapolis Protests)
“Out of an abundance of caution, there will be no school on Thursday, January 8, 2026 and Friday, January 9, 2026 due to safety concerns related to today’s incidents in the city,” the email said. “All MPS-sponsored programs, activities, sports and community education, including adult education, will be canceled.”
The email also stated that MPS “collaborates with the City of Minneapolis and other partners on emergency preparedness and response.” Distance learning will not be provided during vacation days.
MPS told the Daily Caller News Foundation that Wednesday’s “incident” occurred outside a district high school.
“This incident involved federal law enforcement officers and is currently under investigation. We are working with our partners, including the City of Minneapolis and others, to support those directly impacted,” MPS said in a statement to DCNF. “Minneapolis Public Schools is committed to maintaining a safe and welcoming learning environment for all of our students. »
Minneapolis Public Schools are closed today and tomorrow “due to [yesterday’s] incidents around the city. It’s like they’re hoping for riots and giving teenagers free time. It is also an admission that schools are not safe places for children when “incidents” occur in cities. pic.twitter.com/glSIUwvw4P
– Karol Markowicz (@karol) January 8, 2026
Many comments on social media suggest the district fears fallout from the shooting, including protests and civil unrest, is behind its concerns. Other users suggested the move was intended to allow students, faculty and staff to participate in protests in the city.
“They probably know the teachers want to protest and they’ll all call in sick anyway,” one user concluded.
“No learning either. Because teachers will be busy rioting,” said another.
Another described the closure as “a militarization of public schools.”
Teachers’ work is paid to protest.
– Ken Redacted (@Bandaidken) January 8, 2026
Large protests were already underway in Minneapolis over ICE operations, and more have erupted since Wednesday’s shooting, with residents allegedly “turning violent” and “actively confronting agents.” Swarms of people gathered around the scene, burning American flags and taunting federal agents. In some cases, police were forced to deploy tear gas to push back protesters.
🚨 NOW: Leftists ARE TURNING VIOLENT in Minneapolis with federal agents, now actively confronting agents in the name of terrorism
Schools are literally SHUT DOWN because of this bullshit. IT’S ONLY 8:00 AM! pic.twitter.com/PLNlY6sZXq
– Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 8, 2026
“THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AT WAR AGAINST OUR STATE! WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?”
“FIGHT!” »
A protester at a violent anti-ICE demonstration in Minneapolis directly cites Gov. Tim Walz’s “war” comments to incite the crowd again shortly after tear gas was deployed, shouting, “Fight!” pic.twitter.com/zht6hjssOR– Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) January 8, 2026
Minnesota officials have ramped up their anti-ICE and anti-Trump rhetoric in the wake of the shooting. Democratic Mayor Jacob Frey told agents to “get the hell out” of Minneapolis, saying ICE had brought “chaos” to the city.
“We don’t want you here. Your stated reason for being in the city is to create some sort of security, and you are doing the exact opposite,” Frey claimed. “People are hurt.”
Democratic Gov. and failed vice presidential candidate Tim Walz said the federal government was at “war” with the state, both the day before the shooting and in his remarks that followed.
“Donald Trump and his administration may not care much about Minnesota, that’s obvious, but we love this state,” he said. “We will not let them tear us apart, we will not turn on each other.”
“This morning, an ICE agent shot and killed Renée Nicole Good, a member of our community. Renée was a resident of our city who was caring for her neighbors this morning and her life was taken today by the federal government,” the city council said in a statement obtained by Fox 9. “Anyone who kills anyone in our city deserves to be arrested, investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
This is a developing story and may be updated.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan news service, is available free to any legitimate news publisher capable of delivering a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and DCNF affiliation. For questions about our guidelines or our partnership, please contact licenses@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
