The tragic shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent has sparked significant public outrage and reignited discussions about accountability in law enforcement. On January 7, 2026, the mother of three was shot and killed during a contentious ICE operation, with the agent involved later identified as Jonathan Ross. While her death has garnered national attention, it is her poetry that is now bringing an additional focus to her story.
Renee Nicole Good, who described herself on her private Instagram account as a poet, writer, and mother, gained recognition for her artistic talents. Her poem, “On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs,” won the Academy of American Poets prize in 2020. Published on the Academy’s website, the poem explores complex themes of memory, faith, and the human experience. An excerpt illustrates her unique style and emotional depth, reflecting on life through vivid imagery and personal insight.
In her later years, Good lived in Minneapolis but hailed from Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was an accomplished graduate of Old Dominion University, where she had done her studies in creative writing. Following her death, the university expressed sorrow over the loss, highlighting her accomplishments as a student and the impact of her poetry.
As a mother of three, Renee shared her children with two former husbands. One husband has chosen to remain unnamed, while the other had passed away in 2023. In Minnesota, she was building a life with her current spouse, Rebecca Good. After her untimely death, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to support her family with funeral expenses and has remarkably raised over $1.36 million, far exceeding its initial goal of $50,000.
In the aftermath of the incident, Vice President JD Vance defended the ICE agent, asserting that Renee was attempting to disrupt the operation and posed a threat to the officer. Vance characterized her as an activist and suggested that her death was a consequence of her own actions, igniting further controversy and debate on social media.
Meanwhile, Renee’s family has disputed the narrative presented by Vance. Her ex-husband shared with the press that Renee had just dropped their young son off at school and was returning home when the encounter with the ICE agents occurred. As investigations continue into her death, the renewed interest in Renee Nicole Good’s poetry serves to highlight her identity as a poet and artist, giving voice to her legacy beyond the tragedy.