The family of Renee Good, the 37-year-old Minneapolis mother shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer, has issued a powerful public appeal for justice framed by compassion. In their first collective statement since the tragedy last Wednesday, relatives paid tribute to an "extraordinary mother" and expressed hope that her death would spur meaningful reform to prevent other families from enduring similar pain.
A Plea for Humanity Amid Grief
In a carefully worded statement released on Monday and in interviews with the Guardian, the family urged the public to ground discussions about the case in "humanity, empathy, and care for the family most affected." They sought to move beyond the divisive and hateful rhetoric that has characterised much of the national debate since the shooting.
"There's been so much hateful rhetoric back and forth, and what's been missed is painting a picture of who Renee was," explained Jessica Fletcher, Renee's sister-in-law, who drafted the statement. The family, which includes relatives of Good's late husband Timmy Macklin Jr., consulted with Good's mother Donna before speaking out.
Remembering an 'Extraordinary Mother'
The family described Renee Good as a devoted and fiercely loving parent who always put her three children at the centre of her world. "She was full of heart and never defined by malice," they said. The statement made a particular point of highlighting the plight of her youngest son, who at six years old is now orphaned following the death of his father in 2023.
Timmy Macklin Jr., an air force veteran, died last year at age 36. The family noted he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges. They said building a life with Renee and raising their son together represented "the best years he ever had" and that he would have been devastated by her death.
Charlene Fletcher, Good's former mother-in-law, told the Guardian that knowing Renee had made her a better mother. "It feels deeply wrong that Renee died in this way," she said. "She had a beautiful voice that everyone should have had the chance to hear. The last thing Renee would have wanted was violence carried out in her name."
Avoiding Division, Seeking Change
Notably, the family's statement did not directly mention ICE, the ongoing FBI-led investigation, or the Trump administration's attempts to label Good as a domestic terrorist. It also refrained from commenting on the graphic video footage of her final moments, which figures like New York mayor Zohran Mamdani have called evidence of "murder."
Instead, the focus remained on remembrance and a constructive path forward. The tone echoed a previous statement by Good's widow, Becca, who said the way to honour Renee was by "living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace."
The family thanked those who have protested and shown support, but deliberately avoided explicit political alignment. "I don't want to open it up into this huge fight with the opposing side," Jessica Fletcher said. "That would just be pouring more gasoline on the fire. But not saying something is political too."
They concluded with a forward-looking message: "We know Renee would be there too, cheering on those who fight for justice and standing with the people, causes, and community she loved. We hope this inspires accountability, compassion, and meaningful change." The family's call is for a justice that heals, rooted in the empathy their beloved Renee embodied.
