The family of a woman gunned down by a federal agent revealed new details on Jan. 14 about what she was doing in the hours leading up to the fatal shooting that sparked protests nationwide.
Renee Nicole Macklin Good was fatally shot on Jan. 7 by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement agent Jonathan Ross. The shooting came amid an ICE action in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when the 37-year-old mother of three drove her SUV forward near Ross after being told to exit her vehicle.
Widely seen footage of the deadly encounter has sharply divided the country. Department of Homeland Security officials say Ross acted properly and that Good was engaged in "domestic terrorism"; top Democrats have called for Ross’ arrest. New polling finds most American voters think the shooting was unjustified.
In statements where they called Good "the beautiful light of our family," the woman’s four siblings, parents and their attorneys described the shooting as a result of a chance encounter after dropping her 6-year-old child off at school.
"We want to thank everyone who has reached out in support of Renee and our family. The kind of unending care we’ve been given during this time is exactly the kind that she gave to everyone," Good’s family said in a letter shared with USA TODAY. "Nae was the beautiful light of our family and brought joy to anyone she met. She was relentlessly hopeful and optimistic which was contagious. We all already miss her more than words could ever express."
