Niamh Shackleton
The wife of Renee Good has spoken out for the first time since the 37-year-old's sudden passing.
On January 7, Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after she supposedly 'weaponized' her car and tried to run over officers as they carried out raids in her neighborhood.
The incident has sparked protests in the city and outrage across the country as many feel like it was unnecessary to kill the mother.
But the likes of Kristi Noem, United States Secretary of Homeland Security, have argued that the officer's actions were completely justified.
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"Our officer followed his training, did exactly what he’s been taught to do in that situation, and took actions to defend himself and defend his fellow law enforcement officers," she said.
Vice President JD Vance has echoed similar sentiments and insisted that the officer was 'doing his job' and said he is protected by 'absolute immunity'.
Others outside of the Trump administration feel very differently though, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey being one. He has called the administration's account of events leading up to the fatal shooting 'bullsh*t' and told ICE to 'get the f**k out of Minneapolis'.
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And it seems as if a lot of other people feel a similar way as over $1.5 million has now been raised on GoFundMe for Renee's family in the wake of her death.
In light of people's support and generosity, her wife Becca Good has spoken out.
In a moving statement shared with MPR News, Becca explained that Renee leaves behind three children, the youngest being six years old who has already lost his father.
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Part of Becca's statement to the news outlet reads: "First, I want to extend my gratitude to all the people who have reached out from across the country and around the world to support our family.
"This kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind. In fact, kindness radiated out of her.
"Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn’t wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine.
"Renee lived by an overarching belief: there is kindness in the world and we need to do everything we can to find it where it resides and nurture it where it needs to grow. Renee was a Christian who knew that all religions teach the same essential truth: we are here to love each other, care for each other, and keep each other safe and whole."
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Becca continued to describe Renee as 'pure love', 'pure joy', and 'pure sunshine' as she rounded off the moving message with: "We thank you for the privacy you are granting our family as we grieve. We thank you for ensuring that Renee’s legacy is one of kindness and love.
"We honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace, refusing division and knowing we must come together to build a world where we all come home safe to the people we love."
On January 9, the GoFundMe page was officially closed for further donations in light of the staggering amount of money that's been raised.
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If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].