The family of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother killed during an encounter with federal immigration officers in Minneapolis, is claiming wrongful death and demanding accountability for the tragedy. They have engaged the legal firm Romanucci & Blandin, which also represented George Floyd’s family, to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death and to advocate for justice.
In their public statement, the family requested that Renee be remembered as 'an agent of peace' and stressed the importance of refraining from using her death as a political lever. The firm has committed to releasing updates regarding their investigation in due time.
This development follows the Justice Department's recent declaration that they see no grounds for a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting. Currently, the FBI is conducting a probe into Good's death.
Defending the actions of the ICE officer involved, the Trump administration has stated that the shooting was an act of self-defense, claiming that officer fired while standing in front of Good's vehicle as it began to move. This justification has been met with criticism from local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who have expressed concern based on video evidence that emerged from the incident.
Amidst the fallout from the shooting, several federal prosecutors in Minnesota have resigned, and numerous supervisors from the Civil Rights Division in Washington have signaled their departure from their roles. This shakeup in federal employment occurs during a time when the community is seeking accountability for law enforcement actions.
The legal team of Romanucci & Blandin has indicated that their focus will encompass the nature of the federal operation that occurred in the neighborhood at the time of the incident, the conduct of the officers involved, and any delays in providing medical assistance to Good following the shooting. Significantly, the specific identity of the ICE agent responsible for firing the weapon has yet to be made public.
Family members assert that Renee Good was simply parked nearby, observing law enforcement activity after dropping their child off at school, when officers approached their vehicle. According to the legal representatives, they maintain that evidence will show Good was attempting to reverse and move away from the officers before the fatal shot was fired.
The firm has reiterated its resolve to keep the community informed through transparent updates throughout its investigation, as they believe existing information provided by officials has been insufficient.
In an emotional statement to the media, Becca Good, Renee's wife, emphasized the couple's intention to stand in solidarity with their neighbors during that tense law enforcement activity, stating, 'We had whistles. They had guns.' Meanwhile, the family has been largely unresponsive to media inquiries since the aftermath of the incident, focusing instead on memorializing Renee Good.
