Wife of Renee Good Releases Statement Following Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS — Becca Good, the wife of the woman fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent earlier this week, released a public statement on Friday honoring her partner’s memory and calling for compassion in the wake of the tragedy.
Renee Nicole Good, 37, was killed on Wednesday, January 7, during a confrontation with federal agents in South Minneapolis. In her statement to MPR News, Becca Good described Renee as a person who “radiated kindness” and “literally sparkled.” She expressed deep gratitude for the support the family has received from across the country, noting that such “kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute” to her late wife.
“If you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind,” Becca Good wrote.
Addressing the moments leading up to the shooting, Becca Good stated that she and Renee had stopped their vehicle to “support our neighbors” when the incident occurred. She reflected on the couple’s recent move to Minneapolis from Missouri, describing the city as a “safe harbor” where they had found a vibrant community—a sense of security she said has now 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,” the statement read.
The shooting occurred near 34th Street and Portland Avenue while ICE agents were conducting operations in the area. Federal officials have stated the agent, identified as Jonathan Ross, fired in self-defense, alleging the driver attempted to use the vehicle as a weapon against officers. However, local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have strongly disputed this narrative, citing video footage that appears to show the vehicle driving away from the agents when the shots were fired.
The incident has sparked days of protests in the Twin Cities and a jurisdictional dispute between state investigators and federal authorities regarding the handling of the case.
Becca Good concluded her statement by urging the public to honor Renee’s legacy by rejecting division. “We honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace,” she said.
