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The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released dramatic new video
footage showing a previously unseen angle of the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole
Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis woman who was killed by an Immigration and
Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a confrontation on a residential street.
The video, recorded on a cell phone by ICE agent Jonathan Ross, has intensified
national scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics, use-of-force
decisions, and the absence of body-worn cameras among ICE officers. While Trump
administration officials argue the footage supports claims of self-defense, experts
and former law enforcement officials say it raises troubling questions about
judgment, escalation, and officer safety procedures.
A Fatal Encounter Caught on a Cell Phone
On Wednesday afternoon in south Minneapolis, ICE agents were conducting
enforcement operations when they encountered Renee Good, who had stopped
her burgundy SUV perpendicular to the roadway. According to DHS, Good was
“impeding” law enforcement activity. However, video evidence released by DHS,
along with footage captured by bystanders and a 3D reconstruction created by
CNN, presents a more complex and controversial picture.
As Agent Jonathan Ross approached Good’s vehicle, he raised his cell phone and
began recording. Less than a minute later, with the phone still in his hand, Ross
drew his service weapon and fired multiple shots into the vehicle as Good
accelerated forward. She was killed instantly. Her SUV continued down the street
before crashing.
The footage is extraordinary not only because it documents a deadly encounter
from an officer’s perspective, but also because it shows an ICE agent recording with
a handheld phone during a rapidly evolving confrontation—a practice that several
experts say is highly unusual and potentially dangerous.
DHS Claims vs. Video Evidence
DHS officials maintain that the video supports their position that the shooting was
justified.
“This footage corroborates what DHS has stated all along,” said Assistant Secretary
Tricia McLaughlin. “This individual was impeding law enforcement and weaponized
her vehicle in an attempt to kill or cause bodily harm to federal law enforcement.
The officer feared for his life and acted in self-defense.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem went further, describing the incident as
“an act of domestic terrorism,” a characterization that has drawn sharp criticism
from civil rights advocates and local officials.
However, a detailed review of the footage complicates that narrative. While Good’s
SUV was positioned in the roadway, multiple vehicles—including a large SUV
driven by Ross himself—were able to drive around her vehicle prior to the
shooting. This has raised questions about whether the vehicle truly posed an
unavoidable threat.
Experts Question Tactical Decisions
Several former law enforcement officials and tactical experts have expressed
concern over Ross’s actions, particularly his decision to record the encounter with
his phone instead of relying on body-worn cameras.
“If you’re an agent, you should not be encumbered by anything in your hands,” said
Jonathan Wackrow, a CNN law enforcement analyst and former Secret Service
agent. “That’s what body-worn cameras are for. But they’re not wearing body-worn
cameras.”
Another former senior law enforcement official, speaking anonymously, described
Ross’s behavior as deeply troubling.
“If you’re so concerned about your safety, then why are you tying up your hands
and attention on your cell phone?” the official said. “Clearly they didn’t feel
threatened—at least not until the last seconds.”
The video also shows Ross positioning himself directly in front of the vehicle, a
tactical choice that experts say significantly increased risk and limited his
response options.
Moments Before the Shooting
Footage shows Ross standing near the front of Good’s SUV while continuing to
record. The exchange between the two appears calm. Good can be heard telling
Ross, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you,” while smiling.
Her wife, Becca Good, who had exited the vehicle, held up her own phone and
shouted remarks toward Ross. Another officer can be heard ordering Renee Good
to exit the vehicle.
Seconds later, Good reversed slightly, then accelerated forward. Becca Good is
heard shouting, “Drive, baby, drive!” Video analysis suggests Renee Good turned
the steering wheel away from Ross as the vehicle moved. Ross’s phone camera
does not show any contact between his body and the car.
Still holding his phone, Ross shouted “Whoa,” drew his weapon with his free hand,
and fired into the vehicle.
Notably, in the moments after the shooting, Ross is seen walking down the street
with his phone still in his hand and the camera app open.
Absence of Body-Worn Cameras
ICE does not have a universal requirement for body-worn cameras, a fact that has
become central to criticism following the shooting. While some federal agencies
mandate body cameras, ICE policy on recording interactions remains inconsistent.
According to a federal law enforcement source, ICE’s Office of Professional
Responsibility may review recordings made on government devices, but accessing
an officer’s personal phone generally requires a warrant or subpoena.
Former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, now a CNN contributor,
emphasized that body cameras protect both officers and civilians.
“In my view, officers—federal, state, local—should be wearing body-worn cameras,”
Ramsey said. “Most of the time, they show that the officer’s actions were justified.”
A Veteran Agent Under Scrutiny
Jonathan Ross is a law enforcement veteran with nearly two decades of experience
in the Border Patrol and ICE. He was previously injured in the line of duty after
being struck by a vehicle, a detail that has been cited by administration officials in
defense of his actions.
Supporters argue that Ross’s past experience may have influenced his perception
of danger. Critics counter that experience should signal the importance of
maintaining distance from moving vehicles rather than stepping directly into their
path.
Protests Erupt Nationwide
The killing of Renee Good has ignited protests across the United States, particularly
amid broader opposition to President Donald Trump’s intensified immigration
enforcement strategy.
Demonstrations under the banner “ICE Out for Good” have taken place in
Minnesota, Texas, Florida, Ohio, New Mexico, and other states. Organizers say the
rallies aim to honor lives lost during ICE operations and demand accountability.
“ICE’s violence is not a statistic,” said Leah Greenberg, co-executive director of
Indivisible. “It has names, families, and futures attached to it.”
In Minneapolis, more than 1,000 protesters gathered near the site of the shooting.
While most demonstrations were peaceful, police reported property damage and
minor injuries, including one officer hurt after ice was thrown.
Local Officials Push Back
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has openly challenged the federal government’s
account of the incident, stating that the evidence suggests Renee Good was
attempting to leave the scene, not attack officers.
“It’s clear to me she was trying to drive away,” Frey said, calling DHS’s narrative
misleading.
Frey also demanded that ICE cease operations in the city, a request echoed by
other local leaders who say federal enforcement actions are destabilizing
communities.
Congressional Oversight Blocked
Tensions escalated further when three Minnesota lawmakers—Ilhan Omar, Kelly
Morrison, and Angie Craig—attempted to tour an ICE facility in Minneapolis.
Though initially allowed to enter, they were later told to leave.
The lawmakers accused ICE and DHS of obstructing congressional oversight.
“The public deserves to know what is taking place in ICE facilities,” Omar said.
Multiple Investigations Underway
The FBI is leading the federal investigation into the shooting, though Minnesota
officials have announced a separate state-level inquiry after saying they were
excluded from the initial process.
The incident has reignited debate over whether federal agents should operate with
broader transparency when conducting domestic law enforcement actions.
A Case That May Reshape Policy
The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good has become a flashpoint in the national
conversation over immigration enforcement, policing tactics, and the use of deadly
force.
As video evidence continues to circulate and protests grow, the case is likely to
influence future debates about body-worn cameras, federal oversight, and ICE’s
role in American cities.
For now, the released footage has not settled the controversy—it has deepened it,
leaving the public, policymakers, and investigators grappling with difficult
questions about accountability, safety, and justice.
