Renee Nicole Good’s Mother Reflects on Daughter’s Final Moments: ‘She Must Have Been Terrified’ Following Fatal ICE Shooting: ‘One of the Most Compassionate Souls I’ve Known’
Renee Nicole Good has been confirmed as the victim of a fatal shooting in Minneapolis by an ICE agent on Wednesday, January 7th
The 37-year-old mother of three was characterized as an “incredibly compassionate,” “remarkable person” by those who knew her
Good resided in Minneapolis with her partner and son
Renee Nicole Good is being honored by those who knew her as a devoted mother of three.
Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer on Wednesday, January 7th in Minneapolis, an incident which was documented on video from several perspectives. Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, was in the driver’s seat of her vehicle at the time, while apparently being confronted by ICE agents. As she moved the car forward, one ICE agent discharged his weapon directly into the vehicle multiple times, fatally injuring Good.
A Mother’s Grief and Defense
Good’s mother, Donna Ganger, shared with The Minnesota Star Tribune that her daughter was “one of the most compassionate souls I’ve known.”
“She was incredibly compassionate. She’s cared for people her entire life,” Ganger expressed about her daughter. “She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was a remarkable person.”
In response to the Department of Homeland Security characterizing Good as a “domestic terrorist” and asserting ICE agents had acted in self-defense, Ganger stated, “That’s absolutely ridiculous. She must have been terrified,” emphasizing that her daughter was “not involved in anything like that whatsoever,” in reference to protesters who have been confronting ICE agents.
Family Remembers a Devoted Mother
Good’s father, Tim Ganger, conveyed to The Washington Post, “She lived a meaningful life, though a challenging one. She was an exceptional person.”
She had a 15-year-old daughter and two sons, ages 12 and 6, according to the Post.
Academic Achievement and Creative Passion
Good graduated from Old Dominion University in Virginia in 2020 and was a poet, who received the school’s undergraduate poetry prize.
Old Dominion University President Brian O. Hemphill described Good as “a proud Monarch who graduated in December of 2020 from the College of Arts and Letters with a degree in English.”
“May Renee’s life serve as a reminder of what binds us together: freedom, love, and peace,” Hemphill expressed in a statement. “My hope is for compassion, healing, and reflection during what is becoming one of the darkest and most uncertain periods in our nation’s history.”
When Good received her poetry award, the ODU College of Arts & Letters noted that Good’s poetry has been published in Metrosphere and Coronado Literary Review.
“When she is not writing, reading, or discussing writing, she has movie marathons and creates messy art with her daughter and two sons,” her bio stated.
Personal Life and Loss
She was previously married to comedian Tim Macklin Jr., the father of her youngest son, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune, citing her former father-in-law Tim Macklin Sr.
Macklin Jr. passed away in 2023.
“There’s nobody else in his life,” Macklin Sr. stated regarding Good’s son. “I’ll drive. I’ll fly. To come and get my grandchild.”
Conflicting Narratives Emerge
The Department of Homeland Security labeled Good’s actions “domestic terrorism,” stating in an X post, “Today, in an act of domestic terrorism, an anti-ICE rioter weaponized her vehicle against law enforcement. Our officer relied on his training and saved his own life, as well as the lives of his fellow officers.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey strongly rejected DHS’ characterization as “bulls—” during a press conference.
“They are already attempting to portray this as an action of self-defense, having reviewed the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly, that is bulls—,” Frey declared. “This was an agent recklessly exercising power that resulted in somebody getting killed.”
A Community Mourns
Those who knew Good describe a sharp contrast between the person they remember and the characterization offered by federal authorities. Friends, family, and colleagues recall a compassionate poet, dedicated mother, and caring individual who devoted herself to nurturing others.
The circumstances surrounding Good’s death have ignited intense debate about ICE enforcement tactics, use of force protocols, and the treatment of civilians during immigration enforcement operations. Video evidence of the shooting has circulated widely, prompting calls for accountability and investigation.
As Good’s family mourns their devastating loss, they face the difficult task of explaining to three children why their mother will not be coming home. Her youngest son, who lost his father just two years ago, now faces the unimaginable reality of losing both parents before reaching adolescence.
The tragedy has left a Minneapolis community grieving, a family searching for answers, and a nation grappling with questions about the appropriate use of lethal force by federal agents during enforcement operations.