‘A soft and beautiful spirit’ – Renee Nicole Good remembered by friends in Northern Ireland after her visits there as a teenager
Woman shot dead by ICE agent spent time in Co Down and Co Derry on Christian youth missions in the early 2000s, which friends recall fondly
Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minneapolis on Wednesday.She was shot while she tried to drive away on a snowy residential street as officers were carrying out an operation related to the US administration’s immigration crackdown.About 20 years ago, Ms Good spent time in Northern Ireland on Christian youth missions.Becca Hainsworth, who now lives in Belfast, attended those missions. “She was extremely caring, a soft and beautiful spirit,” Ms Hainsworth told the BBC.The 37-year-old’s death has led to widespread protests in the US.Officials have offered differing accounts of the incident, with the Trump administration claiming the ICE agent was acting in self defence, while local officials say Ms Good posed no danger.A demonstrator holds a picture of Ms Good during a protest in Minneapolis on Thursday. Photo: ReutersToday's News in 90 Seconds, Saturday, January 10 Ms Hainsworth travelled to Northern Ireland with Ms Good in 2005 and 2006.“When I was getting homesick, she’d sing to me. She had a voice of an angel. She’d bring me cups of tea,” she recalled.“She had a nurturing, beautiful soul.”The pair spent time in Co Down and Co Derry in the summer outreach teams at First Saintfield Presbyterian Church and Ballysally Presbyterian Church.Ms Hainsworth offered her condolences to Ms Good’s family.When I was getting homesick, she’d sing to me. She had a voice of an angel“To think of her children, family and partner who had to witness this, it’s just soul-crushing,” she added.Paul Bowman, a youth worker from Saintfield, told the BBC he was shocked and saddened by the news.“It’s just really surreal watching these horrific events and knowing that it is someone you shared life with. Someone who people have friendships with and care about.“This is a girl who I played music with, she played with my kids. She was very much a big part of my family during her time in Northern Ireland,” he said.He recalled how, in 2006, he took Ms Good to Torr Head and the Antrim coast.“It was a good day, she talked about her hopes and plans, a whole life lay ahead of her. A life now so tragically and horrifically snatched away,” he said.Speaking on Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme, Mr Bowman said he was in “shock and disbelief” at the reports of her killing.
