The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent during a protest in Minneapolis has brought her complex personal journey into sharp focus. Reports reveal that Good, along with her partner Rebecca, had briefly relocated to Canada following Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 presidential election, citing the political climate.
Contradictions and a Final Protest
Conflicting narratives have emerged about Good's presence at the Wednesday protest. While some family members stated she was not an activist, her wife Rebecca confirmed she brought Good to the location. Eyewitnesses reported that the couple was recording videos of the demonstration. It is believed they had just dropped off Good's six-year-old son before arriving at the site.
A Life Marked by Personal Milestones
Renee Good was married three times, most recently to Rebecca. With her first husband, she had two children but did not retain custody after their divorce. Her second marriage was to Timmy Macklin Jr., a U.S. Air Force serviceman, with whom she had a son. Macklin died in 2023 at age 36, after which Good became primarily a stay-at-home mother.
Good's educational and creative pursuits were significant. She grew up in Colorado Springs, attending Coronado High School, where she graduated with the "best personality" accolade. After a brief stint at Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2014-2015, she later studied creative writing at Old Dominion University in Virginia. In 2020, she won a prestigious prize for her poetry and earned a bachelor’s degree in English that December.
Political Disquiet and a Search for Community
After meeting and marrying Rebecca, the couple settled in Kansas City, Missouri. Described as not very political despite being a gay couple in a politically conservative state, they were deeply affected by the 2024 election results. They broke their lease and moved to Canada "because of the political situation" following Trump's win.
Ultimately, they returned to the United States, moving to Minneapolis approximately a year ago. They were drawn to the diverse community found on the city's south side, seeking a place where they could feel at home. The tragic events of the protest have now cut short that search, leaving behind a story of resilience, love, and the profound personal impacts of national politics.
