The Minneapolis Public School District (MPS) has canceled classes in the city for the rest of the week over safety concerns as unrest rises after the fatal shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Wednesday.
Federal agents fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in her vehicle after she allegedly attempted to run over a law enforcement officer taking part in “targeted operations” in the area. In an email sent to district families, MPS announced that schools will be closed Thursday and Friday out of an “abundance of caution” and 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 around the city,” the email stated. “All MPS-sponsored programs, activities, athletics, Community Education, including Adult Education, will be canceled.”
The email also stated that MPS is “collaborating with the City of Minneapolis and other partners on emergency preparedness and response.” Remote learning will not be provided during the days off.
MPS told the Daily Caller News Foundation the Wednesday “incident” occurred outside a district high school.
“This incident involved federal law enforcement agents and is currently under investigation. We are working with our partners including the City of Minneapolis and others to support the individuals directly impacted,” MPS said in a statement to the 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 “related to [yesterday’s] incidents around the city.” It’s like they’re hoping for riots and giving teens the time off for it. Also an admission that schools are not safe places for kids when “incidents” happen in cities. pic.twitter.com/glSIUwvw4P
— Karol Markowicz (@karol) January 8, 2026
Many social media comments speculate the district fears fallout from the shooting, including protests and civil unrest, are the reason for the district’s concerns. Other users suggested the move was made to allow students, faculty and staff to participate in the protests around the city.
“They likely know the teachers want to protest and will all call in sick anyway,” one user concluded.
“No e learing either. Because the teachers will be busy rioting,” another stated.
Another described the closure as “The weaponization of public schools.”
The teachers side gig is paid protesting.
— Ken Redacted (@Bandaidken) January 8, 2026
Large protests were already underway in Minneapolis over ICE operations taking place, and more have broken out since Wednesday’s shooting, with residents allegedly “getting violent” and “actively confronting agents.” Swarms of people are gathered around the scene, burning American flags and taunting federal agents. Officers in some cases have been forced to deploy tear gas to push back demonstrators.
🚨 NOW: Leftists are GETTING VIOLENT in Minneapolis with federal agents, they are now actively confronting agents in the name of terrorism
Schools are literally CLOSED because of this crap. IT’S ONLY 8AM! pic.twitter.com/PLNlY6sZXq
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) January 8, 2026
“THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS WAGING WAR ON OUR STATE! WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?”
“FIGHT BACK!”
Protester at violent anti-ICE demonstration in Minneapolis directly quotes Gov. Tim Walz “war” comments to incite crowd again shortly after tear gas deployed, shouting, “Fight back!” pic.twitter.com/zht6hjssOR— Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) January 8, 2026
Minnesota officials have ratcheted up anti-ICE and anti-Trump rhetoric in the aftermath of the shooting. Democrat Mayor Jacob Frey demanded the agents “get the f*ck out” of Minneapolis, saying ICE brought “chaos” to the city.
“We do not want you here. Your stated reason for being in the city is to create some kind of safety, and you are doing exactly the opposite,” Frey claimed. “People are being hurt.”
Democrat and failed vice presidential candidate Gov. Tim Walz said that the federal government is at “war” with the state, both the day before the shooting and in remarks afterward.
“Donald Trump and his administration may not care much about Minnesota, that’s been evident but we love this state,” he said. “We won’t let them tear us apart, we will not turn against each other.”
“This morning an ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, a member of our community. Renee was a resident of our city who was out caring for her neighbors this morning and her life was taken today at the hands of the federal government,” the city council said in a statement obtained by Fox 9. “Anyone who kills someone 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.
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