The family of Renee Nicole Good is accusing U.S. federal immigration officers of causing the death of the Minneapolis mother while she was following their instructions. They have retained the services of the law firm that represented George Floyd’s family to seek answers and accountability. Good, aged 37, is being remembered as a “peaceful individual” by her loved ones, who have urged the public not to politicize her passing. The law firm, Romanucci & Blandin, based in Chicago, will disclose details from its investigation in the upcoming weeks.
In response to the shooting by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, the U.S. Justice Department has stated it does not find grounds to initiate a federal civil rights inquiry. However, the FBI is currently investigating Good’s death. The Trump administration has supported the actions of the ICE officer, stating that he fired in self-defense as Good’s vehicle began to move forward. This explanation has been criticized by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and others based on video evidence of the incident.
This week, approximately six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned from their positions, and various supervisors in the criminal section of the civil rights division in Washington have announced their impending departures. Good’s family wants information regarding the federal operation that occurred on January 7 in the neighborhood where the incident took place, the actions of the officers during the encounter, and the delays in providing medical assistance after the shooting. The identity of the ICE agent who discharged the weapon has not been disclosed.
According to the law firm, Good’s partner, Becca Good, and other relatives had dropped off their child at school and stopped to observe law enforcement activities when they were approached by officers. The attorneys mentioned that Renee Nicole Good seemed to reverse her vehicle away from an agent before the shooting occurred, although an official account of the events has not been released.
Romanucci & Blandin emphasized that they will release their findings progressively as they believe the community is not adequately informed through other channels. The law firm, known for securing a $27 million settlement for George Floyd’s family, is now representing Becca Good, Renee Nicole Good’s parents, and siblings. Becca Good stated in a message to Minnesota Public Radio that they had halted to show support for their neighbors, mentioning, “We had whistles. They had guns.”
Becca Good and her family have not provided responses to inquiries from The Associated Press. The previous statement from Becca Good did not elaborate on the events of the day of the shooting but focused on honoring her wife’s memory.