Renee Nicole Good: The Moments Before the Fatal Minneapolis ICE Shooting — What the Cellphone Video Reveals

On January 7, 2026, a routine federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis ended in tragedy when 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an officer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). New cellphone footage taken from the shooter’s own phone has emerged, showing the events leading up to the fatal encounter — footage that has spread widely across media and social networks and sparked fierce national debate over law enforcement, use of force, and justice. NBC Chicago

Who Was Renee Nicole Good?

Renee Nicole Good was a mother of three and a resident of Minneapolis. Local reports describe her as compassionate, kind, and deeply involved in her community. The morning of the shooting, she had dropped her young child at school and was driving with her partner when federal immigration agents approached her vehicle in a residential street. NBC Chicago

Her family and community mourned her as a devoted parent and friend. A moment of silence was observed by the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team at a game shortly after her death. NBC Chicago

The Immigration Enforcement Operation

ICE agents were part of a broader enforcement action in Minneapolis. Federal authorities say the mission involved targeting individuals with open immigration detainers; local and state officials have called it an aggressive presence that escalated tensions in the city. The Guardian

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the officer involved was Jonathan E. Ross, a ten-year veteran of ICE’s Special Response Team. Federal officials have claimed that Good attempted to “weaponize her vehicle” and ran over an agent, prompting Ross to fire in self-defense. They have even referred to her actions as an act of “domestic terrorism,” though this characterization has been widely disputed. The Guardian

The Cellphone Video: What It Shows

NBC News and other outlets obtained cellphone footage apparently recorded by ICE officer Jonathan Ross just moments before the shooting. NBC Chicago

In the video:

• Good is seen sitting in the driver’s seat of her maroon Honda Pilot, stopped in the middle of a residential street. Her left arm rests casually outside the window. NBC Chicago

• She can clearly be heard saying to the officer, “That’s fine, dude — I’m not mad at you.” NBC Chicago

• A small dog sits in the backseat, looking on as the agent circles the front of the vehicle. NBC Chicago

• Good’s partner, believed to be her wife, also appears in the clip. She approaches the rear of the SUV, filming on her phone while taunting the agent to “show your face.” NBC Chicago

• The officer then moves around to face the driver’s side. Good briefly begins to turn her steering wheel and drive. NBC Chicago

• As the vehicle moves forward, the officer is heard exclaiming something — described by multiple outlets as “Whoa!” — and shots are fired. NBC Chicago

• The camera jerks upward, focusing on the sky, then levels out showing the SUV accelerating away. A male voice is heard using a slur. The vehicle ultimately crashes down the street. NBC Chicago

This short video — roughly 47–50 seconds in total — provides a firsthand look at the interaction and illustrates the rapid escalation from conversation to deadly force. Sky News

Conflicting Narratives Emerge

The release of the cellphone video has underscored two very different interpretations of what transpired:

Federal Position

DHS and officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have shared the video with commentary suggesting the officer acted in self-defense. They emphasize that the vehicle moved toward the agent just prior to the shots being fired. This framing has been republished online by federal officials and used to support claims that the shooting was justified. NBC Chicago+1

Local Leaders and Observers

City and state officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have strongly rejected the federal self-defense narrative, calling it “bulls**t” and demanding independent investigation. They argue the video and associated footage do not clearly indicate an imminent threat that would justify lethal force. Sky News

Human Rights Watch and other independent groups have analyzed multiple videos and witness accounts. They contend that Good’s vehicle was not driving aggressively toward officers and note that shots were fired after Good began to maneuver the car away. They also highlight concerns about how and when the use of force was applied. Human Rights Watch

Protests and Public Reaction

Good’s death has sparked protests across the United States, particularly in cities like New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and Seattle. Demonstrators are expressing outrage at federal immigration enforcement practices, the use of deadly force, and perceived lack of accountability for agents. Human Rights Watch

Local officials are also pushing for independent investigations. Minnesota state leaders have urged the inclusion of their Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the inquiry, criticizing federal handling of evidence and transparency. NBC Chicago

Legal and Policy Questions

The episode has raised difficult questions about the scope and limits of ICE authority, especially in domestic settings involving U.S. citizens. Good was a legal resident and mother who had not been publicly identified as a target of federal immigration actions. NBC Chicago

Policy experts note that lethal force by federal agents is supposed to be a last resort, only when there is an immediate threat to life or serious injury. Critics argue that the cellphone video does not clearly show such a threat before shots were fired. Human Rights Watch

There are also legal questions about local versus federal jurisdiction, especially since Minneapolis has previously resisted federal enforcement operations. The refusal of federal agencies to fully share evidence with state investigators has further complicated matters and drawn criticism from local leaders. Reuters

Remembering Renee Good

Beyond the controversy and legal battles, many who knew Good remember her as more than a tragic news figure. Her mother described her as “one of the kindest people” she had ever known, remembered for her compassion and care for others. The Guardian

Those close to her have emphasized her roles as a parent, partner, and community member — details that have humanized her in the public eye even amid the political debate surrounding her death. NBC Chicago

What Happens Next?

Investigations into the shooting are continuing. Local leaders have called for independent inquiries and transparent sharing of evidence. Civil rights groups have urged examination of federal enforcement policies. The public reaction — including protests and widespread debate — suggests that the implications of this incident will resonate far beyond Minneapolis. Human Rights Watch

Whether there will be criminal charges, civil suits, or policy reforms remains uncertain, but the incident has already intensified discussions about law enforcement accountability, use of force standards, and the oversight of federal agents interacting with civilians. Reuters

Conclusion

The cellphone video showing the interaction between Renee Nicole Good and an ICE officer moments before her death provides a raw, unfiltered glimpse into a brief and tragic confrontation. The footage has fueled sharply divided interpretations from federal authorities and local leaders, highlighting broader tensions in law enforcement, immigration policy, and community trust.

As the country watches, the incident continues to raise questions about when and how lethal force is used by agents entrusted with public safety — and whether the stories we see in video form can ever fully capture the human lives behind the headlines.