New footage released recently sheds light on the final moments of Renee Good’s life as captured by her shooter. This video directly challenges assertions made by Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance that Good was intentionally targeting the ICE agent who shot her and that he acted in self-defense. A detailed examination of the footage, presented by the conservative local outlet Alpha News, clearly indicates that Good was maneuvering away from the agent before being shot. The video also reveals that the agent shifted his phone to his other hand, freeing his right hand to draw his weapon ten seconds later.
In the video, the ICE agent exits his vehicle and approaches Renee Good’s maroon Honda Pilot. Good can be seen steering to the left and reversing slightly as the agent walks around her vehicle. Good calmly states, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.”
The agent then proceeds to walk around the car, using his phone to capture Good’s license plate information, while a woman presumed to be Good’s wife converses with him. He switches his phone to his left hand, enabling him to continue recording while keeping his right hand available to draw his firearm.
Before walking to the front of Good’s vehicle, a full 10 seconds before he pulls out his gun, the agent positions himself as more ICE agents approach, instructing Good to exit her car. Good is seen reversing slightly and turning her steering wheel sharply to the right, with her wheels following suit. As the car begins to move, the agent draws his weapon, still recording with his phone. He fires shots through the windshield and then through the open side window as Good’s car speeds away, with a voice in the background verbally assaulting Good.
Vance and Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin claimed that the new video supports their argument that the officer acted in self-defense, but this assertion has been refuted. Minnesota Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed any self-defense justification as baseless.
Law enforcement experts noted that the video did not alter their opinions on the use of force but raised concerns about the officer’s training. Geoff Alpert, a criminology professor at the University of South Carolina, called for scrutiny of the officer’s training that allowed him to hold a gun and a cellphone simultaneously. John P. Gross, a law professor at the University of Wisconsin, emphasized that the officers did not perceive Good as a threat based on the video evidence, questioning the officer’s actions in the situation.
The video footage has sparked a debate regarding the officer’s actions and the perceived level of threat posed by Good, prompting further examination of law enforcement protocols and training standards.