Podcast Summary: “We Had Whistles. They Had Guns.” – Wife of Woman Killed by ICE Speaks

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: January 9, 2026
Episode Overview:
This episode focuses on the fatal shooting of Renee Good (alternately referred to as Renee Wood in some moments), a woman killed by an ICE agent during a protest in Minneapolis. The hosts, Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes, discuss the newly emerged video footage from the incident taken from the perspective of the officer who fired the fatal shots, analyze reactions from both sides, and read a moving statement from Renee's wife, Becca Good. The discussion explores the complexities and emotional weight of the incident, public interpretations of the video, and the deep humanity of the victim at the center.

Main Theme and Purpose

• Examination of New Evidence: The episode zeros in on the impact of new video footage from the ICE officer’s perspective, which reignites debate over what transpired.
• Dual Perspectives: Robach and Holmes break down differing interpretations of this video by authorities, the public, and the family.
• Personal Loss: The episode features a heartfelt written statement from Becca Good, the wife of the woman killed, to humanize the event beyond accusations and arguments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The New Officer-Recorded Video

[03:52 – 06:36]

• Source and Content: The video is from officer Jonathan Ross, who shot Renee Good. It's a cell phone clip showing his walk around the car, documenting interactions before the shooting.
• Interpretations:
  • Authorities/DHS/Administration: Argue the video supports their case, noting the “clear taunting” from the women and that Renee, as the driver, was driving towards the officer, justifying the response.
    • TJ Holmes: “They say, yes, this does show that that vehicle is coming towards the officer.” [05:29]
  • Critics/Public/Other Side: Focus on protocol breaches (officer standing in front of a vehicle) and claim the video shows Renee’s intent was to flee, not harm the officer.
    • Amy Robach: “You actually hear Renee's wife Becca... yell because as they're coming around one side of the truck... Becca say, 'drive, baby, drive, drive.' And that's when Renee takes off. The idea... we hadn't seen that before.” [06:36]

2. Tone and Behavior in the Video

[07:37 – 09:01]

• TJ Holmes notes that Renee appears “pleasant” and “smiling” during her interaction, even if sarcastically, undermining the narrative that she was aggressive.
  • Amy Robach confirms: “She is smiling.” [08:02]
• The focus turns to Becca Good’s sharper taunting of the officer, especially about license plates and surveillance tactics used by ICE.
  • Amy Robach: “She was taunting him because it's known that lots of ICE agents are switching their license plates before they go out on duty...” [08:31]
• The pivotal moment: Becca instructs Renee to “drive, baby, drive,” emphasizing the split-second escalation. [09:34]

3. The Aftermath, Shot Fired, and Emotional Fallout

[09:49 – 11:26]

• After the shots, a male officer is heard saying “effing bitch,” highlighting the emotional intensity and complicating the image of professionalism.
  • Amy Robach: “After you hear the gunshots... you hear a male voice say ‘effing ...’ after multiple gunshots. It's disturbing...” [09:49]
• Holmes and Robach reflect on how this additional footage does not resolve, but rather deepens, public division:
  • Robach: “It doesn't even necessarily make a clearer picture for anyone. You see what you want to see.” [11:26]
  • Holmes: “This is another one where everybody jumped to conclusions... so many bad actors and it seemed unnecessary...” [12:44]

4. Shared Responsibility & Social Reflection

[12:44 – 15:36]

• The hosts wrestle with the question of blame:
  • TJ Holmes: “We're looking for right or wrong ... It's just not that simple. We've all contributed in some way, form or fashion to what happened and what is happening in this country.” [12:44]
  • Amy Robach: “...it's possible. No one... knows what it’s like to be on either side of that situation...” [11:26]
• On the subject of Becca's role:
  • Robach: “To imagine that she actually witnessed this all and contributed to the situation and maybe even unfortunately contributed to the escalation... I think that's the thing that gets lost oftentimes: the victim.” [14:06]

5. Reading Becca Good’s Statement

[20:46 – 23:35]

• Amy introduces and reads a lengthy, emotional tribute from Becca Good that describes Renee’s radiant kindness, their family life, and the senselessness of her death.
  • Becca Good’s words (read by Amy Robach):
    “I want to extend my gratitude... if you never encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Goode, you know that above all else, she was kind. In fact, kindness radiated out of her...
    “On Wednesday, January 7, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns...” [21:37]
    “We thank you for ensuring that Renee’s legacy is one of kindness and love... Rejecting hate and choosing compassion, turning away from fear and pursuing peace...” [22:54]
• TJ responds:
  • “Look, there are folks hurting today because of this... I'm glad we got to hear from somebody from that side... hearing directly from her loved ones...” [23:35]

6. Updates on Investigation & Community Reactions

[23:35 – 25:38]

• TJ Holmes notes the ongoing federal investigation, lack of local involvement, and the “mess” perceived by the Minnesota community.
  • “FBI... have locked out the locals... Folks are wondering, is this really an independent... thorough investigation? It's a mess.” [23:35]
• Amy Robach reflects on Renee’s final moments:
  • “But I think we can say that what we did see of Rachel before she died, she was smiling, she was kind… Even if she was protesting in her way, she wasn't doing it viciously...” [24:37]
• The pair anticipate continued protests and hope for calm.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Event's Complexity and Dual Interpretations

• T.J. Holmes [12:44]:
  "It's just not that simple. We've all contributed in some way, form or fashion to what happened and what is happening in this country."

On the Victim’s Humanity

• Amy Robach [14:06]:
  "I think that's the thing that gets lost oftentimes: the victim. No matter how you feel about how she acted, she was a human being. She was a mother, she was a wife. She was a person."

From Becca Good’s Statement ([20:46–23:35])

• "We had whistles. They had guns."
• "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."

On Social Media and Public Reaction

• T.J. Holmes [12:44]:
  "We got F bombs being thrown at press conferences. We got quick tweets being sent out calling folks terrorists. We immediately ramped up. And this was the hardest one to watch..."

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:52] – Introduction of new video evidence from officer’s perspective
• [06:36] – Dissection of what the video shows (taunting, driving off)
• [09:49] – Discussion on gunshots, officer’s post-shooting remark
• [11:26] – Hosts reflect on division and lack of clarity despite multiple videos
• [14:06] – Focusing on the victim’s personal story and humanity
• [20:46–23:35] – Amy reads Becca Good’s moving tribute and statement
• [23:35] – Update on investigation, community division, and protests

Style and Tone

The hosts maintain a balanced, empathetic tone, openly wrestling with complexity and resisting simple narratives. They emphasize humanity, grief, and the danger of quick judgments. The reading of Becca Good’s statement brings a deeply personal, emotional component that elevates the episode above typical news coverage.

Key Takeaway

This episode offers a nuanced, compassionate look at a polarizing event, highlighting the limits of video evidence, the persistence of polarization, and—most importantly—the lasting impact on the individuals and families at the heart of such tragedies.