The Minneapolis ICE Shooting

On January 7, 2026, two women drove to an area where Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were working, obviously intending to disrupt them. Agents approached the auto. One agent moved in front of it. The driver suddenly drove forward. The agent, apparently in fear of his life, shot and killed her. 

 

Police shootings are relatively rare, but when they do happen, they generate publicity. This incident has generated far more than most. What does the Bible say, if anything, about incidents such as this?

 

First, it says law enforcement is an important government function. Romans 13:2-4 says, “For rulers [meaning people in authority; namely the police] are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good.” Rulers here are not to be a terror to decent people, but they should be a terror to violent criminals, which is right since violent criminals are often a terror to decent citizens.

 

Apprehending violent criminals can also be dangerous. The Bible authorizes officers to use force, even deadly force, if needed: “But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword [the necessary level of force] in vain:” (Romans 13:b) Deadly force against an officer can be a gun, knife, blunt instrument, or even a vehicle. Yet the officer’s use of force must also be lawful and reasonable.

 

Police know there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop or assignment. Danger can occur at any time, under any circumstance. When it does, officers must immediately take action to save themselves or others from death or serious injury. They have little or no time to analyze, while those who judge their actions can sit comfortably and critique what they did: moment by moment, frame by frame.

 

A shooting is also a life-changing event no decent officer wants. If he is wounded, he will need time to recover physically and emotionally. If he shoots and the suspect is wounded or dies, the officer can expect public scrutiny and possible condemnation by people who were not there. Besides the physical/emotional trauma, he and his family can also expect restricted duty, likely financial impact, and uncertainty of the future as the incident is investigated and resolved legally, as all shootings should be.

 

Proverbs 18:13 also speaks against jumping to conclusions without knowing all the facts, which many people have done: “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Even an experienced officer cannot look at one video and reach an informed conclusion. Video footage cannot tell all that the officer saw or heard to affect his decision. It cannot convey the officer’s fear for his life.

 

Leaders and citizens have a right to express opinions. Leaders also have a duty to speak responsibly. To portray police as villains carelessly, a leader may encourage people to endanger themselves by interfering with their work. Say the police are trying to arrest a dangerous suspect. A citizen interferes, not knowing the situation. The suspect takes advantage of the distraction, kills the officer and citizen, and escapes. He is a violent criminal. He does not care about them, only himself. No decent person wants that to happen.

 

Dealing with offenders, especially violent offenders, is usually not easy and sometimes not pretty. Yet no decent person wants violent offenders loose, which means someone has to do the tough job of going after them. That someone is the police. In this modern age also, officers should conduct themselves as if they are on video. Video can catch an officer in an act of misconduct, or it can be a huge help to his case.

 

To see from the Bible how to have eternal life by receiving Jesus as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”

 

Brian Miller 1/20/2026