- Renee Nicole Good, 37, was fatally shot by ICE agent Wednesday morning in south Minneapolis
- Family describes her as compassionate mother and poet who graduated from Old Dominion University
- Federal and local officials offer sharply different accounts of circumstances leading to shooting
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (TDR) — Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and award-winning poet, was fatally shot Wednesday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent during a federal operation in south Minneapolis, triggering widespread protests and conflicting narratives about what transpired.
Good’s mother, Donna Ganger, identified her daughter to the Minnesota Star Tribune and described her as one of the kindest people she had ever known.
“She was extremely compassionate. She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.”
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The shooting occurred around 9:30 a.m. on Portland Avenue between East 33rd and 34th Streets in Minneapolis’ Central neighborhood. Good had just dropped off her 6-year-old son at school and was returning home with her partner when the fatal encounter occurred, according to family members.
Background and Education
Good was a United States citizen born in Colorado who had recently moved to Minneapolis from Kansas City, Missouri. She described herself on social media as a “poet and writer and wife and mom” who was “experiencing Minneapolis.”
She graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, in December 2020 with a degree in English. While studying creative writing, Good won the Academy of American Poets 2020 ODU College Poetry Prize for her poem “On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs.”
“May Renee’s life be a reminder of what unites us: freedom, love, and peace. My hope is for compassion, healing, and reflection at a time that is becoming one of the darkest and most uncertain periods in our nation’s history.”
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University President Brian Hemphill said in a statement expressing condolences to Good’s family and the ODU community.
Good co-hosted a podcast with her second husband, Timmy Ray Macklin Jr., who died in 2023 at age 36. She was a widow raising three children — two from her first marriage, ages 15 and 12, and her 6-year-old son from her second marriage.
Circumstances of the Shooting
Video footage obtained by multiple news outlets shows ICE agents approaching Good’s red Honda Pilot, which witnesses said was blocking the agents’ vehicles. An officer can be heard ordering Good to exit the vehicle while attempting to open the driver’s side door.
The vehicle then reversed slightly before moving forward. As the SUV moved, multiple gunshots rang out and the vehicle crashed into a parked car and light pole. Good was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the agent’s actions, stating the shooting occurred after Good “attempted to weaponize her vehicle” to run over officers. Noem characterized the incident as “an act of domestic terrorism.”
“An ICE officer, fearing for his life, the lives of his fellow law enforcement and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots. He used his training and saved his own life and that of his fellow officers.”
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the agent acted in self-defense.
Local Officials Dispute Federal Account
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey strongly disputed the federal government’s characterization of events. Both officials said they had reviewed video footage that contradicted the DHS narrative.
“Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is bullshit. To ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis.”
Frey said during a Wednesday press conference.
Walz called the incident “the consequences of governance designed to generate fear, headlines and conflict,” adding that Minnesota did not need further federal assistance.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said there was no evidence Good was the target of any law enforcement investigation or action. The FBI and Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating the shooting.
Community Response and Political Reactions
Hundreds gathered Wednesday evening at the shooting site for a vigil, surrounding a makeshift shrine of flowers and candles. The Minneapolis City Council released a joint statement describing Good as a resident who was out “caring for her neighbors” when she was killed.
Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) expressed outrage at the shooting, calling Good “a U.S. citizen, a mother, and a Twin Cities resident.” Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan confirmed Good had a 6-year-old child.
Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) described ICE’s actions as “unconscionable and reprehensible” and called Good a “legal observer.” Democratic Representative Robin Kelly of Illinois announced she would seek to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Noem over the incident.
President Donald Trump defended ICE’s actions in an interview with the New York Times, saying Good “behaved horribly” and “ran him over,” not merely attempted to do so.
Personal Life and Legacy
Family members told reporters Good had primarily been a stay-at-home mother in recent years, though she previously worked as a dental assistant and at a credit union. She had no criminal record beyond a traffic ticket.
Her mother said Good was not involved in any protests against ICE operations. A former neighbor in Kansas described Good and her family as “lovely” people.
“That was just a mom who loved her kids, loved her spouse.”
Joan Rose told Kansas City television stations.
Timmy Ray Macklin Sr., Good’s former father-in-law and grandfather to her youngest child, expressed shock at the news and said he would travel to Minnesota to support his grandson, who no longer has his mother in his life.
How will this fatal shooting impact immigration enforcement operations in cities where local officials oppose federal tactics?
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May she rest in peace.
To Walz: you need to stop peddling violence against ICE and stop supporting people who are lawless but then again after billions of tax dollars stolen under you, how can Americans expect integrity from you?
To the mayor: oh puhlease: if you can see the rest of America roll their eyes everytime you act like a clown instead of being a real mayor. You have an absolute responsibility to follow the law and tell your”Minnesotans” to act like decent law abiding citizens.
That’s all folks.
Who was she , An ignorant low IQ clown, FAFO.
What a beautiful person, who thought it was okay to use her car as a deadly weapon. What did she think was going to happen. Now she will be considered a martyr. Disgusting. The democrats are stirring up this stuff, by telling people this is okay. The mayor and governors need to be held accountable. I am sad that this woman lost her life, but you told her this kind of behavior is okay?
What was a mother of three kids doing participating in protests that are not only endangering others but also herself? She must not have thought too much of her kids to put herself in this precarious situation. I also am sorry for the loss of her life. However, she and the protest group she was a part of are to blame for this.
This is very sad situation but when you decide to interfere with Law Enforcement doing their jobs and then attempt to harm them, what do you expect. The democratic party has made it acceptable to disrespect, ignore, threaten and injure Law Enforcement. It will no longer be tolerated and Law Enforcement has the right to defend themselves. She should have just drove by and gone home instead of place herself in something that she had no business in. I pray for her children who now must live life without their mother who made bad choices and paid for them.