A newly emerged video from the perspective of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer provides a critical, first-hand view of the "fraught confrontation" that led to the fatal shooting of driver Renee Good in Minneapolis last week. Visual forensics reporter Jonathan Baran, who confirmed the footage's authenticity, states it reveals for the first time "how antagonistic" Good and her wife, Rebecca, were towards the officer.
Forensic Breakdown of the Critical Footage
Jonathan Baran, a reporter for the Washington Post based in San Francisco, conducted a frame-by-frame analysis of the video filmed by ICE Officer Jon Ross. The footage shows Ross standing directly in front of Renee Good's Honda Pilot SUV, filming her at the wheel, while her wife Rebecca stood outside the vehicle, also recording and urging Renee to "drive, baby, drive." The incident occurred last Wednesday after Good reportedly blocked a road in apparent protest at a nearby immigration raid.
Mr Baran confirmed the video captures the women taunting and trolling Officer Ross. Rebecca Good is heard saying, "we don't change our plates every morning just so you know," a sarcastic reference to allegations that ICE agents regularly switch vehicle number plates to avoid detection. Remarkably, the officer remains silent throughout the provocation.
The forensic expert highlighted that the footage clearly shows Renee Good turning the steering wheel to the right and beginning to drive seconds before shots were fired. However, a crucial gap exists: as the gun is discharged, the camera "swings up" into the air, missing the exact moment of impact and obscuring whether Ross was struck by the vehicle.
Political Firestorm and Conflicting Narratives
The shooting has ignited a fierce political debate across the United States. Supporters of Officer Ross, including former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, argue he acted in self-defence as the car moved towards him. Vance stated the new footage proves "his life was endangered and he fired in self-defence."
Conversely, the White House has labelled Renee Good a "domestic terrorist," while her family accuses the officer of murder. The incident has sparked further clashes between protesters and immigration officers in Minneapolis, where tear gas and pepper balls were deployed. In a related incident in Portland, Oregon, two people were shot and wounded by ICE agents last Thursday as they attempted to flee.
An Incomplete Picture
Despite the new evidence, Jonathan Baran cautions that the video does not provide definitive answers. "I don't think this video can exonerate or vindicate anyone completely in their actions," he told the BBC. He noted that Rebecca Good's plea to "drive baby drive" suggested an intent to flee rather than a deliberate attempt to injure the officer.
The analysis leaves investigators with "some information gaps" to fill. While the video shows Good's actions and the officer's position clearly, it cannot conclusively determine intent or whether Ross was hit by the vehicle. The tragic event in Minneapolis continues to expose deep national divisions over immigration enforcement and the use of force.
