The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Macklin Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis has become a flashpoint for national debate, with newly leaked cellphone footage fueling intense political and public division. The incident, which occurred on January 7, 2026, has drawn commentary from the highest levels of U.S. government, including Vice President J.D. Vance.
New Video Evidence Enters the Fray
On January 9, 2026, Vice President Vance shared what he described as definitive evidence on social media platform X. The leaked footage, reportedly from the cellphone of veteran ICE agent Jonathan Ross, captures the final 45 seconds before the shooting from the agent's perspective. Vance asserted the video ends the debate, stating it shows the agent's life was endangered when he was struck by the SUV driven by Good, justifying the use of deadly force in self-defense.
The video begins with Agent Ross approaching a red Honda Pilot stopped sideways in a Minneapolis street. The driver, Renee Good, is visible wearing a toque, while her wife, Rebecca "Becca" Good, stands outside the vehicle. Audio captures a tense exchange where the women question the agents. Rebecca Good is heard saying, "U.S. Citizen, You want to come at us. I say go get yourself some lunch big boy. Go ahead." Agents then order the driver to get out of the car.
A Deadly Sequence of Events
The critical moment unfolds as Renee Good puts the SUV in reverse, moves back approximately a metre, and then shifts into drive. The leaked footage appears to show the vehicle moving toward the agent, with the camera view shaking violently as if struck. This is followed by the sound of three gunshots and a man's voice uttering a profanity. The SUV then veers into a parked car.
This new evidence stands in contrast to other publicly available videos that offered an external view of the encounter. The audio and first-person perspective provide a different context, though interpretations remain sharply split.
Reactions Highlight Deep Political Divide
The release of the video has cemented two opposing camps. Vice President Vance and supporters argue it conclusively proves the agent was attacked with a vehicle, a potentially deadly weapon. President Donald Trump has also backed this view. Vance criticized media coverage, posting, "What the press has done in lying about this innocent law enforcement officer is disgusting."
Conversely, critics see a different story. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz accused leaders like Vance of spreading mistruths. Commentator Geraldo Rivera reviewed the footage and stated it showed "two middle-aged ladies, talking smack" and that the killing was "entirely unnecessary." Rebecca Good, in an interview with NPR, remembered her wife as a kind Christian dedicated to love and safety, a stark contrast to her final, fatal actions.
The debate now centers on whether Renee Good intentionally drove at the officer or was merely attempting to flee. The leaked video has provided both sides with new evidence for their arguments, but as the political rhetoric intensifies, there appears to be little room for consensus on a tragedy that has left a woman dead and a nation divided.
