Fact Check: Misleading Image Circulates Claiming to Show Renee Good’s Criminal Record

In early January 2026, a social media controversy erupted following the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. As public interest in the case intensified, a purported criminal record screenshot began circulating online, allegedly showing Good had an extensive history of offenses including child abuse and battery of law enforcement officers.

The screenshot, which spread rapidly across platforms including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Threads, was shared alongside claims that Good had been booked four times between 2022 and 2024 for various criminal offenses. One social media user who shared the image wrote, “You idiots on the left really need to pick your martyrs better. Renee Good has one hell of a rap sheet including Child Endangerment and SEVERAL Battery of a Police Officer charges.”

However, a closer examination of the alleged record revealed significant discrepancies that undermine its authenticity. Multiple reputable news organizations have confirmed that Good was 37 years old at the time of her death, born on April 2, 1988, according to The Kansas City Star. In contrast, the criminal record circulating online pertained to a 44-year-old individual born in October 1980, making it impossible to be Good’s record.

Further investigation through criminal databases in Colorado, Missouri, and Minnesota—states where Good had reportedly lived—yielded no results matching the screenshot when searched under her various names, including her married names Renee Sheppard and Renee Macklin. The Associated Press reported that Good “apparently was never charged with anything beyond a single traffic ticket,” contradicting the extensive criminal history portrayed in the viral image.

The origin of the screenshot remains unclear, including whether it belongs to a real person who happens to share Good’s name but has a different birthdate. Technical analysis using AI detection tools from Sightengine and Hive Moderation suggested the image was unlikely to be AI-generated, though such detection methods aren’t infallible. Google’s Gemini chatbot noted the absence of SynthID, a watermark typically embedded in AI-generated content from Google’s platforms.

Good’s life stands in stark contrast to the portrayal in the miscaptioned criminal record. She had recently moved to Minneapolis with her wife and 6-year-old son, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. Previously, she had lived in Kansas City, Missouri, and was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. One of Good’s neighbors told reporters that she had considered moving to Canada before deciding to settle in Minneapolis.

The circumstances surrounding Good’s death remain under investigation. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, maintains that the officer who fatally shot Good “fired defensive shots” because he feared for his life. In a statement on X, the DHS claimed Good had “weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers in an attempt to kill them—an act of domestic terrorism.”

As of January 8, 2026, the FBI had taken over the investigation into Good’s death from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which had previously been conducting the investigation jointly with federal authorities. The shooting occurred just blocks from Good’s Minneapolis home.

The spread of misinformation following tragic incidents has become increasingly common in the digital age, with social media users often sharing unverified information that can quickly reach large audiences. This case illustrates how easily false narratives can develop and spread in the aftermath of high-profile incidents, potentially influencing public perception before facts are fully established.

As the investigation continues, authorities have yet to release complete details about the confrontation that led to Good’s death, leaving many questions unanswered for her family, community, and the broader public.