In a high-stakes and rapidly evolving story, AP’s visuals team delivered powerful, exclusive imagery from an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis and the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration officer — producing defining visuals and comprehensive coverage that stood out in a competitive media landscape.
Video journalist Mark Vancleave and photographer John Locher, drawing on deep source development within immigration enforcement and activist networks, tracked federal agents to a home in Minneapolis. Their exclusive visuals captured agents forcing open a door and escorting a crying man out in handcuffs as protesters lined the sidewalks, filming and shouting. Some demonstrators had already been pepper sprayed. In a moment that raised legal concerns, a woman emerged holding a document signed by an immigration officer, which only authorized arrests in public spaces.
The emotional photos and video became central to AP’s broader reporting on the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
While on another assignment in Las Vegas, Vancleave remained closely connected to local sources and was one of the first to flag reports of Good’s fatal shooting by an immigration officer during a separate encounter. The AP moved quickly with its first text alert. Reporter Tim Sullivan and freelance photojournalist Tom Baker rushed to the scene and delivered photo and video coverage within an hour.
As the Trump administration claimed that Good had attempted to strike an officer with her vehicle, the AP verified and secured permission to publish social media footage that added crucial context and visual evidence.
Judges praised the exclusive visuals, speed and depth of AP’s reporting throughout the week.
For their comprehensive, visually driven coverage of breaking news developments during a tense week in Minneapolis and securing several exclusive angles, Mark Vancleave, Mike Householder, John Locher, Tom Baker, Adam Gray and Jen Golbeck win Best of AP — First Winner.
Related articles
