Renee Good’s former father-in-law said he does not blame the ICE agent who fatally shot her during a confrontation in Minneapolis, describing the incident as the result of poor decisions and a split-second moment. Timmy Macklin made the remarks Tuesday during an appearance on CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront, saying he believes the agent was placed in an impossible situation.
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Good, 37, was killed on Jan. 7 during an encounter with federal immigration officers while she was driving in Minneapolis with her wife, Becca. The Trump administration later labeled Good a domestic terrorist, alleging she attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon against officers. The shooting has since drawn national attention and fueled political debate.
Macklin, the father of Good’s late ex-husband and grandfather to her young son, said the incident was difficult for everyone involved and that his perspective changed after reviewing video footage. He said he initially did not understand what happened but later saw evidence suggesting the agent was in danger. “In a flash like that, it’s hard to say how you would react,” Macklin said.
The killing has become a flashpoint between critics of the Trump administration and federal officials, who maintain the agent acted in self-defense. Macklin said Good’s wife is a good person but questioned the choices that led to the encounter, adding that he did not agree with all of Good’s actions despite caring deeply about her.
Macklin, who described himself as religious and a supporter of President Trump, also criticized the language used by the agent after the shooting, saying it reflected a lack of compassion. At the same time, he spoke warmly of Good, calling her a loving mother and a joyful person, and said the tragedy stemmed from human error rather than malice.
President Trump expressed sympathy for Good’s family while standing by his administration’s account of the incident, saying he believed Good was likely a good person under normal circumstances. The Justice Department later said there was no basis for a civil rights investigation into the shooting, though Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said deadly-force cases are typically reviewed to assess whether policy or procedural changes are needed.[/read]