ICE agent's cell phone video proves deadly force excuse 'asinine': ex-FBI investigator
An ex-FBI agent Friday raised questions about an ICE agent's account of the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother.
Michael Feinberg, former special agent in charge with the FBI, told MS NOW that the leaked video footage from an ICE agent's cell phone that captured the fatal confrontation between Renee Nicole Good, her wife Becca Good and ICE agent Jonathan Ross has now prompted even more concern among law enforcement experts.
"Frankly, law enforcement officers overreacting to what admittedly might be some sarcastic and lightly combative civilians, but I don't see a situation that would require the application of deadly force," Feinberg said.
In the footage, Good and her wife, who is walking outside the car, gets into a verbal altercation with the agents who are blocking the roadway. Feinberg explained how the incident contradicted training for officers.
"You know the reason law enforcement officers are supposed to be vetted before they join, and the reason they go through extensive training, is that two of the qualities you need to exhibit the most are emotional maturity and an ability to keep your cool and getting heckled, getting videotaped," Feinberg sad. "Anything related to those two activities? That's part of the job. Somebody filming you on a cell phone and giving you sass is not a threat to your life. It's not even a threat to your safety. It's a minor annoyance at best."
He also noted that the Ross was reportedly capturing the incident, pointing his camera to Good's wife and their Honda Pilot's license plate.
"And I'm also really curious why on earth is a law enforcement officer filming an interaction with a civilian on his cell phone? They're not influencers. They're not social media posters," Feinberg added. "If you're there to do a job as an agent of the federal government, do the job. You don't need to be making content in the midst of it."
Feinberg said it was surprising that Vice President JD Vance had shared the video — and that President Donald Trump had alleged that Good was to blame for her own death, especially since the investigation was still underway.
"No, I don't, and look, JD Vance was admittedly in the military, but he was in civil affairs," he added. "I don't know that he has any familiarity whatsoever with law enforcement procedures. And as far as I know, prior to becoming president, Donald Trump actively avoided all forms of public service whatsoever. So I'm quite sure he doesn't understand what goes into a law enforcement tactical decision. These are people who not just reasons for propriety, but also for reasons of ignorance, really should not be commenting on any of this until there is a thorough, objective investigation."
The video apparently showed that an officer on the scene called Good's wife a "f------ bitch," just moments before the shots were fired.
"Well, we know from other videos that was an ICE officer who did that. Look, this is the height of unprofessionalism. And if the officer who fired the shots was really in fear for his life, he has a lot of equipment to protect himself," Feinberg said. "But you generally want your hands free to be able to access that equipment. I spent a long time in law enforcement. There is never a situation where if I thought I was in danger, I would preoccupy one of my usable hands by taking a video of the person to whom I was talking. You want your hands free to respond to the situation. This is like, I'm sorry, but that excuse is asinine."