Newly released cellphone footage from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent’s device has provided a harrowing new perspective on the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, during an attempted arrest on January 7, 2026. The 47-second clip, captured by Agent Jonathan Ross and obtained by conservative media outlet Alpha News, shows Good’s wife, Becca, urgently pleading “Drive, baby, drive!” just seconds before shots are fired. The incident, which unfolded in a Target parking lot in northeast Minneapolis, has sparked nationwide protests, calls for federal investigations, and heated debates over law enforcement tactics in immigration enforcement. While ICE maintains the shooting was justified as self-defense, critics argue it exemplifies excessive force, raising questions about accountability and reform in a politically charged climate.

The events leading to Good’s death began around 2 p.m. when ICE agents, acting on a warrant for Becca’s arrest related to immigration violations, located the couple’s maroon Honda Pilot in the busy retail parking lot. Body camera footage from multiple agents, released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on January 9, depicts a rapid escalation. Agents positioned unmarked vehicles to block the SUV’s exit paths, creating a containment zone. Ross, approaching the driver’s side with his firearm drawn, orders Good to exit the vehicle. “Hands where I can see them! Step out now!” he commands, his voice steady but urgent. Good, appearing confused and frightened, responds with a calm, “I’m not mad at you,” before the car begins to move forward slowly.

At that moment, Becca, in the passenger seat, can be heard shouting her desperate plea. The cellphone video, held in Ross’s left hand while his right grips his service weapon, captures the interior of the Honda through the window. A small terrier mix dog barks frantically from the back seat, adding to the chaos. As the vehicle inches toward Ross—reports estimate a speed of under 5 mph—he steps back and fires four rounds into the driver’s side. Three bullets strike Good in the chest and abdomen, causing fatal injuries. She was pronounced dead at the scene by responding paramedics from Hennepin County Medical Center. Becca, unharmed physically, was immediately detained and later released on bond pending her immigration hearing.

Renee Nicole Good was a beloved figure in her community, known for her creative talents and family devotion. A mother of three from previous relationships, she worked as a graphic designer for a Minneapolis-based marketing firm, where colleagues praised her innovative designs and positive energy. Good was also an award-winning poet, having published works in local literary journals that explored themes of identity, love, and resilience. Her mother identified her to the Star Tribune, describing her as “an amazing human being” who loved singing, writing poetry, and fostering rescue animals. Good and Becca, married for three years, shared a home in the Northeast neighborhood, where they were active in LGBTQ+ support groups. Friends told CNN that Good was not the target of the warrant and had no criminal record, emphasizing her role as a stabilizing force in her blended family.

Becca’s warrant stemmed from a visa overstay complicated by a prior misdemeanor conviction in Texas for petty theft, according to immigration court documents. She had been in deportation proceedings since 2024 but was allowed to remain in the U.S. under supervision. ICE spokesperson Harlan Osborne told reporters, “This was a routine enforcement action that tragically escalated.” The agency has defended the operation, noting that Becca was considered a flight risk based on prior non-compliance. However, critics point out that the warrant was administrative, not criminal, questioning the need for a high-risk takedown in a public space.

The cellphone footage, distinct from the bodycam videos, offers a first-person view from Ross’s perspective. Released by Alpha News—a Minnesota-based outlet known for conservative leanings—it has been scrutinized for potential bias in editing. The full unedited version, verified by ABC News in a frame-by-frame analysis, shows the encounter lasting just 40 seconds from approach to gunfire. Key moments include Good’s hands visible on the steering wheel, no aggressive gestures from either woman, and the dog’s presence potentially contributing to the confusion. Forensic experts consulted by the New York Times noted the vehicle’s slow speed, estimating it posed minimal immediate threat, though DHS counters that any vehicular movement in a confined space justifies force under protocol.

Bystander videos, including one from a nearby apartment balcony, provide additional context. Posted on YouTube and X, these clips show three ICE vehicles blocking the Honda, with agents in plainclothes and vests emerging with weapons drawn. Witnesses reported hearing shouts of “federal agents” but no clear identification until after the shots. One video captures the aftermath: Becca sobbing beside the car as agents handcuff her, the dog yelping inside. These amateur recordings have fueled online theories, from claims of a setup to accusations of overreach. A Wikipedia page on the “Killing of Renee Good,” created shortly after the incident, details the timeline and has been edited over 500 times, reflecting public interest.

Ross, a 15-year ICE veteran, has a clean disciplinary record, per agency sources. Placed on paid leave, he has not commented publicly, but his union representative defended him: “Agents are trained to respond to vehicular threats. This was a split-second decision.” The Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an internal probe, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a civil rights investigation at the request of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the shooting, stating, “Minneapolis has seen too much needless violence. We demand full transparency.” Protests, organized by Black Lives Matter and immigrant rights groups, have spread to cities like New York and Los Angeles, with thousands rallying under the banner “Justice for Renee.”

Good’s family has spoken sparingly, focusing on grief rather than blame. Her mother told the Star Tribune, “She was an amazing human being—a poet, singer, and devoted mom.” A GoFundMe for funeral expenses and support for her children has raised over $200,000, with donations from across the country. Becca, facing deportation, has retained counsel from the ACLU, who argue the warrant was mishandled. “This tragedy could have been avoided with de-escalation,” said ACLU attorney Sarah Mehta.

The case has drawn parallels to other officer-involved shootings, such as the 2016 killing of Philando Castile in nearby St. Paul, which also involved a traffic stop gone wrong. Advocates point to a pattern of aggressive tactics in immigration enforcement, with ICE reporting 12 use-of-force incidents in 2025 alone. The Southern Poverty Law Center has filed a FOIA request for all related documents, seeking clarity on the warrant’s details.

Social media has turned “Drive Baby Drive” into a rallying cry, with hashtags trending globally. X posts from celebrities like Lizzo, a Minnesota native, have amplified the story: “Heartbroken for Renee. We need change now.” TikTok videos recreating the scene for awareness have millions of views, while conservative commentators on Fox News argue the footage justifies the agent’s actions, citing vehicular assault risks.

Legal experts predict challenges ahead. If charged, Ross could face manslaughter, but qualified immunity often protects federal agents. “The video is damning but ambiguous,” said former prosecutor Laura Coates on CNN. “Juries will debate intent vs. fear.” The DOJ’s involvement could lead to policy changes, such as mandatory de-escalation training for ICE.

As investigations proceed, Minneapolis reflects on another loss. Good’s poetry, shared posthumously online, speaks of love and fragility: “In the quiet drive, we find our way.” For her family, the footage is a painful relic; for the public, a call to action. Whether reforms follow remains uncertain, but Renee’s story has already sparked a national conversation on force, fear, and humanity in enforcement.