Comedian Ellen DeGeneres now leads a much more private life at her home in the English countryside.
But she still has strong opinions about what’s happening in the U.S.
”Hey everybody…”
Ellen DeGeneres, 67, has spoken out publicly for the first time about the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis.
Good, 37, was fatally shot in the head by an ICE agent identified as Jonathan Ross on Jan. 7, shortly after dropping off her six-year-old at school.
In one Instagram post, DeGeneres shared a lengthy video addressed to the citizens of Minneapolis. She referenced filming her 2024 Netflix special, Ellen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, in the city.
”Hey everybody, I just wanted to say, I am so sorry for what is happening in Minneapolis and our country, really, but specifically Minneapolis right now because that’s where I shot my last stand-up special and everybody there couldn’t have been more lovely,” she said.
”I shot it there because they say it’s the happiest city in America. And I found that to be true,” she continued.
”So my thoughts and my prayers are going out to everyone, and I’m proud of everyone who’s protesting peacefully, and I am sorry for anyone who has been hurt just for protesting, for doing what you should be doing.”
She closed the video by sending a simple message of support:
”Anyway, I am just sending love.”
DeGeneres’ other post highlighted a photo of Good, accompanied by a caption originally written by author and former presidential candidate Marianne Williamson. DeGeneres added her own words:
”I’m so sad, and so angry, and so worried.”
The post referenced a letter written by Becca Good, Renee’s wife, previously published by Minnesota Public Radio on Jan. 9. Becca wrote:
”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.”
Video footage from Jan. 9, shared by Alpha News, appears to show the moments leading up to the shooting from the agent’s perspective. In the video, Good is behind the wheel of her SUV, which is perpendicular to the road. Becca records the encounter, addressing the person filming:
”And just so you know, it will be the same plate when you come talk to us later. That’s fine,” Becca says.
”You want to come at us? Go get yourself some lunch, big boy.”
Moments later, a voice yells,
”Get out of the car. Get out of the car. Get out of the f—ing car.”
As Becca reaches for the passenger door, Renee is seen reversing and then driving forward onto the roadway, with Becca urging:
”Drive, baby, drive — drive!”
Multiple gunshots are then heard, followed by a voice saying,
”F—ing bitch.”
It is unclear who made that remark. Separate bystander videos show Ross, who was masked, firing several shots into Renee’s vehicle, causing it to crash.
Since the shooting, federal agents have continued operations in Minnesota. On Monday, Jan. 19, DeGeneres shared a video supporting protesters resisting federal activity, captioned simply:
”Hold on.”
