TL;DR
After a masked federal agent reportedly shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, right-leaning creators including Nick Sortor and Cam Higby arrived in Minneapolis and produced a steady stream of video content. That material has been used by conservative channels to depict the city as lawless and to frame the agent’s actions as self-defense, while related reporting highlights contested narratives and online mis- and disinformation.
What happened
In the days following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a masked federal agent, right-wing creators traveled to Minneapolis and documented protests, interviewed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel, and filmed on-the-ground scenes. Influencers named in reporting include Nick Sortor and Cam Higby; their footage has circulated widely on social platforms. Content from these creators has been presented by conservative accounts as evidence that Minneapolis is dangerously disorderly and to justify the actions of ICE agents. The agent identified in reporting as Jonathan Ross has been linked to the shooting; testimony obtained by WIRED indicates Ross described a background as a firearms trainer and said he had ‘‘hundreds’’ of encounters with drivers during enforcement actions. Separate coverage cited in the reporting notes clashes between federal accounts and online video, a still-active fundraiser for the agent, and instances of AI-manipulated images being used to try to identify the officer online.
Why it matters
- Influencer-produced video is shaping public narratives about a high-profile fatal shooting and can influence public opinion and political responses.
- Content framing the city as lawless may be used to justify expanded federal enforcement or policy responses.
- The spread of manipulated or inconclusive visual material complicates fact-finding and could affect legal and administrative processes.
- Platform hosting decisions (fundraisers, moderation) and how they handle disputed content are part of the unfolding public debate.
Key facts
- A masked federal agent reportedly shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, according to the reporting.
- Right-leaning creators, including Nick Sortor and Cam Higby, traveled to Minneapolis and produced a steady stream of video coverage.
- Much of the influencer content portrays Minneapolis as disorderly and presents ICE agents’ actions as self-defense.
- The ICE agent associated with the shooting has been named in reporting as Jonathan Ross.
- Testimony obtained by WIRED indicates Jonathan Ross described himself as a firearms trainer and said he had ‘‘hundreds’’ of encounters with drivers during enforcement actions.
- Other reporting linked in the piece highlights disagreements between the federal narrative and online video footage of the incident.
- Coverage also notes a fundraiser for the ICE agent remained online and that AI-manipulated images circulated as part of efforts to identify the officer.
- The story sits at the intersection of social media influence, law enforcement conduct, and online disinformation.
What to watch next
- The spread and verification of AI-manipulated images and online attempts to identify the officer — confirmed in the source.
- not confirmed in the source: Outcomes of any criminal or administrative investigations into the shooting
- not confirmed in the source: Platform decisions about moderating or removing influencer videos and fundraisers
Quick glossary
- Influencer: A social media content creator with a sizable audience whose posts can shape opinions and spread information quickly.
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement): A U.S. federal agency that enforces immigration laws and conducts related enforcement operations.
- Disinformation: False or misleading information spread deliberately to deceive or manipulate public perception.
- AI-manipulated image: A photograph or visual that has been altered or generated using artificial intelligence tools, which can change or fabricate identifying features.
Reader FAQ
Who are the influencers referenced in reporting?
The reporting names right-leaning creators Nick Sortor and Cam Higby as among those who traveled to Minneapolis.
Did an ICE agent kill Renee Nicole Good?
The source reports that a masked federal agent reportedly shot and killed Renee Nicole Good and identifies Jonathan Ross as the agent linked to the shooting.
Has video footage settled what happened?
The source says federal accounts and video footage have conflicted and does not present a definitive, universally accepted account.
Are there criminal charges or official findings?
not confirmed in the source
MAKENA KELLY POLITICS JAN 12, 2026 2:03 PM Right-Wing Influencers Have Flooded Minneapolis Clips from creators in Minnesota have become primary evidence in attempts from the right-wing to justify ICE's…
Sources
- Right-Wing Influencers Have Flooded Minneapolis
- The latest updates on the Minneapolis ICE shooting
- Video Shows ICE Agent's Fatal Shooting of Civilian in …
- Somber Minneapolis demonstrators protest fatal shooting …
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