Who Was Renée Good, the Woman Killed by an ICE Agent in Minneapolis?
📅 January 11, 2026
✍️ Editor: Sudhir Choudhary, The Vagabond News
Minneapolis, Minnesota — Renée Nicole Macklin Good, a 37-year-old United States citizen, mother, poet, and community member, was fatally shot by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on the morning of January 7, 2026 in Minneapolis, a tragic incident that has sparked national protest, political debate, and ongoing investigations.
Life and Background
Good was born in Colorado and held a degree in English from Old Dominion University, where she earned recognition for her writing, including an award from the Academy of American Poets in 2020. Friends, family, and community members described her as a compassionate, creative person who “lived with an open heart.” She was devoted to her family, especially her three children, and was known for her poetry, writing, and community involvement.
After living in several states, Good and her wife Rebecca Good settled in Minneapolis, where she continued her creative pursuits while raising her children and engaging with neighbors. She also participated in local efforts to observe and monitor federal immigration enforcement activity in her community.
The Fatal Encounter
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at approximately 9:35 a.m. (CST), Good was shot by an ICE agent in the Central neighborhood of Minneapolis, on Portland Avenue between East 33rd and 34th Streets, just blocks from her home. According to video footage and eyewitness accounts, the shooting occurred as she was in her vehicle, which was stopped diagonally in the street. As she began to drive away from the agents, one officer fired three shots, striking and killing her.
Federal authorities have suggested the officer acted in self-defense, asserting that Good’s vehicle posed a threat. However, local officials, independent experts, and published footage have cast doubt on that narrative, noting conflicting orders from agents and questioning the necessity of deadly force. Minneapolis and Minnesota leaders have condemned the shooting and pressed for accountability.
Who She Was to Family and Friends
Good’s mother described her daughter as “one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” emphasizing her warmth, empathy, and nurturing nature. According to loved ones, she was not a violent person and was likely “terrified” during the encounter that led to her death. Her wife, Rebecca, has shared that the couple had “whistles” and non-lethal tools while interacting with ICE agents but did not anticipate a violent outcome.
Community members remember Good not only for her artistic talents but also for her willingness to support others. Vigils and memorials were held in Minneapolis and other cities in the days following her death, drawing thousands who mourned her passing and protested the circumstances of the shooting.
Legacy and Response
Good’s killing has become a focal point in the broader debate over immigration enforcement practices and law enforcement use of force in the United States. It has prompted nationwide protests, political criticism from local and national figures, and calls for clearer oversight and accountability of federal agents.
Federal and state investigations are ongoing, with Minnesota authorities seeking access to evidence currently controlled by federal agencies. Meanwhile, Good’s family continues to advocate for justice while supporters have organized fundraisers and awareness campaigns in her name.
Sources: Minnesota Star Tribune; MPR News; The Guardian; Washington Post; Newsweek reporting
Tags: Renée Nicole Good, Minneapolis ICE Shooting, Immigration Enforcement, Use of Force, National Protests
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