The political landscape in the United States has been further inflamed by a fatal shooting during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation in Minneapolis, with former New York Yankees star Mark Teixeira publicly declaring his support for the federal agency.
A Deadly Encounter Sparks Outrage
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed on Wednesday while driving an SUV that was blocking a residential street. The incident occurred during protests against an ongoing ICE operation in the area. The agent responsible has been identified as Jonathan 'Jon' Ross.
Initial video footage circulated online shows an officer approaching Good's stationary burgundy SUV, which was stopped in the middle of the road, and attempting to open the driver's door. Seconds later, the vehicle drives away, and a different ICE officer, identified as Ross and standing in front of the car, fires at least two shots towards the driver. The SUV appears to knock the officer back before speeding into two parked cars and crashing to a stop.
Good was shot three times in the face and died at the scene. The official ICE account states that Good deliberately drove her vehicle at agents, a claim vehemently disputed by witnesses. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed the ICE version of events as 'bulls**t'.
Political and Sporting Figures Weigh In
The shooting has triggered a fierce national debate, sharply dividing political opinion. While furious Democrats have branded agent Ross a 'murderer', the Trump administration argues he acted in self-defence, believing Good intended to run him down.
Entering this fraught debate is Mark Teixeira, the 45-year-old former MLB great who recently launched his campaign as a Republican for Texas' 21st Congressional District. Quoting a post from The White House on X that shared a message from Vice President JD Vance about 'standing behind' ICE officers, Teixeira wrote: 'I stand with ICE.'
Teixeira, who played 14 Major League seasons and won a World Series with the Yankees, is running for Congress in a bid to 'help defend President Trump's America First Agenda'. The congressional primary is scheduled for March 2026.
A Nuanced Take from Sports Media
Teixeira is not the only prominent figure from the sports world to comment on the case. ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith offered a detailed, two-part analysis in a 25-minute video on his YouTube channel.
From a legal standpoint, Smith argued the agent was 'completely justified'. 'I saw the video on numerous occasions and seeing what transpired from a lawful perspective, as it pertains to a law enforcement official, don't expect him to be prosecuted,' Smith stated.
However, he added a significant humanitarian caveat. 'If you could move out the way, that means you could have shot the tyres,' Smith contended, noting that Good was not speeding towards the officer at high speed but was initially parked. 'She wrongfully tried to drive off... and as a result, lost her life because of it.'
The incident continues to reverberate, highlighting deep national divisions over immigration enforcement and the use of lethal force by federal agents.
