In a distressing event that has caught national attention, Renee Nicole Good, aged 37, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Her tragic passing has prompted widespread concern and questions across the country as people seek to understand the sequence of events leading to the incident. A noteworthy detail in the viral footage may hold some answers.
The confrontation resulting in Good’s death occurred amid tense interactions with federal immigration authorities. Although a complete investigation is ongoing, initial allegations by the Department of Homeland Security suggested that Good had “weaponized her vehicle.” Furthermore, the incident was termed “an act of domestic terrorism” — a description later reiterated by former President Trump.
However, observers of a video clip depicting part of the incident report a contrasting narrative. The footage appears to show Good attempting to escape as the agents surrounded her car, rather than purposefully attacking anyone. One segment of the clip shows an ICE agent trying to open her car door. Good then reverses her SUV, turns the wheels decisively, and attempts to drive away. Crucially, the vehicle’s tires are visibly angled away from an officer positioned in front of the SUV.
Examining the Wheels
As the SUV starts moving, it lightly nudges the officer without causing him to fall. Almost immediately afterwards, the officer fires a shot through the windshield, following with two more shots through the driver’s side window as Good attempts to flee. Her vehicle then travels approximately 100 feet before colliding with a parked white car. The entire scenario progresses in about 10 seconds.
The widespread sharing of the video ignited immediate and intense public backlash. Many viewers argue that the video depicts a frightened attempt to escape, not an intention to cause harm. Comments on social media have expressed strong emotions, with statements characterizing the event as unjust and extreme.
“Murder. Plain and simple,” read one comment. “This is murder. This cannot be ignored.”
Another observer noted, “That wasn’t self-defense. That was a reaction of anger because she was getting away. They should face charges.”
A Reddit contributor specifically pointed out: “THE WHEELS ARE FULLY TURNED AWAY FROM THE OFFICER. Watch in SLOW MO. No intention IN MY OPINION to hit anyone. The wheels/steering wheel’s positions suggest she wanted to leave, NOT THREATEN.”
Officials and Lawmakers Express Disapproval
Some prominent figures have openly rejected the federal narrative. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeled the incident “a public murder,” emphatically stating: “We witnessed a criminal murder a woman, shooting her as she tried to escape in fear for her life.” She further described the act as echoing a universal fear among Americans.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey delivered a sharp response, vehemently telling ICE to exit the city. “To ICE, get the heck out of Minneapolis,” he stated indignantly. “They bring chaos, splitting up families and now, they are killing people.”
Directly addressing the self-defense claim, Frey contested: “They claim self-defense, yet having seen the video, it’s clear to me that this is nonsense.”
A Mother of Three
Renee Good’s family and friends contest the portrayal of her being involved in any criminal activity. Her mother, Donna Ganger, depicted her daughter as being exceptionally kind-hearted. “She cared for others her whole life, was full of compassion, love, and forgiveness,” Ganger conveyed, remembering Good as possibly feeling very scared during the incident.
Renee Good expressed herself through poetry and writing and was a devoted mother to three children. On the day of her death, she had just dropped off her youngest child at a local school, marking the beginning of a new chapter as she and her family recently relocated to Minneapolis from Missouri.
Contrary to the portrayal of ‘dangerous criminals’ in the context of immigration enforcement, Good was a U.S. citizen from Colorado with no substantial criminal record apart from a minor traffic violation.
A Note Left Behind
The aftermath of the shooting saw neighbors and community members placing flowers and banners near the accident site. One particular handwritten sign displayed messages of support for Renee and a call for justice.
In the moments following the incident, a disturbing video captured a woman’s anguish, crying out in desperation indicating her relationship with Good. “That’s my wife, I don’t know what to do!” she exclaimed amidst tears.
Good’s past relationships and acquaintances recognized her as an unaligned individual with no history of activism. Descriptions from friends and previous mentors paint the picture of someone gentle, compassionate, and exceedingly considerate.
“She was immensely considerate of everyone,” reflected Kent Wascom, one of her former writing instructors. “Her presence illuminated the classroom with warmth and encouragement.”
Vice President JD Vance announced that the ICE officer involved would face no legal consequences, stating that the agent holds “absolute immunity” in relation to Renee Good’s unfortunate death.
ICE Agent Protected Under ‘Absolute Immunity’
During a briefing, Vance asserted that the ICE officer’s actions fall under his federal duties, providing him immunity. “He was executing his duties as expected,” Vance stated.
Addressing a query about access restrictions to the investigation from state agencies, particularly concerning a hold by the U.S. attorney’s office, Vance dismissed any precedent for further state-level investigation.
“Let’s discuss the real issue: disruptive interference with law enforcement operations is a significant concern.” he emphasized.
“The principle here is that the involved federal officer was performing federal duties,” Vance rationalized, reinforcing the notion of immunity, further conveying skepticism about any unprecedented challenges against this stance.
