At a Glance
- Renee Nicole Good, 37, was shot dead by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis
- Photographer Charles Willie Winslow II remembers her as “an angel” who fed and photographed homeless New Yorkers
- Bystander video shows Ross firing through her windshield and open window
- Why it matters: The killing has sparked national outrage and conflicting accounts from the Trump administration and local officials
A Minneapolis mother of three who was shot and killed by an ICE agent last week is being remembered by a fellow photographer for her extraordinary compassion during trips to feed and photograph homeless people in New York City.
Remembering Renee
Charles Willie Winslow II, 61, first met Good in April 2021 when she approached him during a sports photography session at Old Dominion University, where she graduated in 2020 with an English degree. She wanted help with photography and graphic design for a book cover project.
Winslow invited Good on his regular trips to New York City with non-professional photographers to document homelessness across the five boroughs. During her first visit in winter 2022, Good transformed their mission from simple photography to active humanitarian aid.
The New York Trips
The group initially gave homeless subjects $5-$10 for permission to photograph them. Good revolutionized this approach by:
- Purchasing hamburgers “in bulk” for distribution
- Carrying a giant thermos of drinks
- Providing food and beverages directly to people on the streets
- Sharing photos with the ACLU to raise awareness about homelessness
“She would have this big giant thermos, which was heavier than anyone’s camera,” Winslow recalled. The emotional impact was immediate – Good began crying upon seeing the first homeless person, and soon had the entire group in tears.
Despite freezing temperatures during their 24-hour visits, “she didn’t want to leave,” Winslow said. “She wanted to stay there… keep feeding the homeless and she wanted to know their stories.”
The Fatal Encounter
Good was returning from dropping off her 6-year-old son at school with her partner when they encountered ICE agents Wednesday morning. According to her ex-husband, they “stopped to support our neighbors.”
Multiple bystander videos show the sequence of events:
- Good reverses her Honda Pilot as agents try opening her door
- She moves forward and right
- Agent Ross opens fire through her windshield
- He fires twice more through her open window
ABC News reported Good suffered gunshot wounds to the head and died at a local hospital.
Conflicting Accounts
The Trump administration claims Ross acted in self-defense, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accusing Good of “stalking and impeding” agents and engaging in “domestic terrorism.” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin alleged Good “weaponized her vehicle” to attack officers.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey bluntly rejected these claims, calling the White House version “bulls—” and warning ICE to “get the f— out” of his city. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz similarly dismissed the federal narrative, stating “I’ve seen the video. Don’t believe this propaganda machine.”
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2021 | Good meets Winslow at ODU sports game |
| Winter 2022 | First NYC trip with photography group |
| Jan. 7, 2026 | Shot by ICE agent in Minneapolis |
Charles Willie Winslow II was devastated by the news: “I had to watch the video maybe 10, 15 more times because I couldn’t believe it. I really couldn’t… She didn’t deserve to die for nothing.”
Key Takeaways
- Renee Nicole Good was known for documenting and feeding homeless New Yorkers
- She collaborated with photographers to raise awareness through her images
- The shooting occurred after she stopped to support neighbors during an ICE operation
- Local officials directly contradict federal claims about the incident
- The case has intensified scrutiny of ICE tactics and federal immigration enforcement
The killing of Good, who Winslow described as “a perfect person,” has become the latest flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement and police accountability.
