After Days of Silence, Rebecca Good Speaks—and Her Account Raises New Questions
For days after the fatal shooting, the absence of Rebecca Good’s voice was palpable. As protests spread and officials debated what happened in Minneapolis, the person closest to the moment remained quiet.
When she finally broke that silence, her words carried not just grief, but a haunting version of events that challenges official explanations.
Rebecca “Becca” Good, the wife of Renee Nicole Good, released her first public statement following Renee’s death during a confrontation with ICE agents on January 7.
Renee, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed after federal agents approached her vehicle in her neighborhood—an encounter that has since sparked nationwide outrage and multiple investigations.
Gratitude in the Midst of Devastation
Speaking to Minnesota Public Radio News on January 9, Becca began by acknowledging the outpouring of public support that followed Renee’s death. A GoFundMe campaign created for the family raised more than $1.5 million from tens of thousands of donors, providing critical financial support for Becca and the children.
She described Renee as someone whose kindness extended effortlessly to others. “Her love didn’t stop with us,” Becca said. “It moved outward.” She reflected on how Minneapolis once felt like a place of safety and belonging—something she says was irreparably lost that morning.
The Encounter That Altered Everything
According to Becca’s account, the shooting occurred shortly after Renee dropped off their six-year-old son at school. While driving back through their neighborhood, the couple noticed ICE agents conducting operations nearby and decided to stop.
“We stopped to support our neighbors,” Becca said. “We had whistles. They had guns.”
Video footage later released shows an ICE agent attempting to open the driver-side door of Renee’s SUV. As Renee tried to pull away, Agent Jonathan E. Ross stepped in front of the vehicle and fired three shots, fatally striking her. The SUV continued forward, colliding with several parked cars.
In the immediate aftermath, Becca said she was overwhelmed by guilt, believing her encouragement to stop placed Renee in harm’s way. “I told her to come down here,” she said. “That’s something I’ll live with.”
Conflicting Narratives and Official Pushback
Federal authorities have stated that the agent acted in self-defense, claiming Renee used her vehicle as a weapon. That account has been sharply disputed by local leaders.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey publicly rejected the federal explanation after reviewing video evidence, calling the justification unfounded and accusing the agent of reckless conduct. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also called for a full, transparent investigation into the shooting.
The FBI has since opened an inquiry, while state and county officials continue to seek access to key evidence, including Renee’s vehicle and forensic materials tied to the case.
Remembering Renee as More Than a Headline
In her statement, Becca was deliberate about shifting focus away from the violence and toward Renee’s life. She described her wife as a deeply engaged mother, a poet, and a person motivated by compassion and justice.
Renee’s mother, Donna Ganger, echoed that portrayal, calling her daughter exceptionally kind. Other family members reflected on the tragedy with sorrow, noting that Renee may not have realized the danger she was stepping into.
Becca emphasized that Renee should not be remembered solely for how she died, but for how she lived—and what she believed in.
A Call Rooted in Love, Not Anger
Becca concluded her statement with a plea grounded in Renee’s values rather than rage or retaliation. She urged the public to reject fear and division, and to honor Renee by choosing empathy and community over hate.
Her message was clear: accountability matters, but so does humanity.
Conclusion
Rebecca Good’s first public words turn a polarizing incident into an intimate portrait of loss. Her account complicates the official narrative while reminding the public that at the center of the investigation is a family forever changed.
As inquiries continue and tensions remain high, Becca’s voice reframes the tragedy—not as an abstract political flashpoint, but as the irreversible loss of a woman defined by love, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves to come home safely.