Renee Good’s family has filed two federal civil lawsuits against the U.S. Government and top immigration officials, nine months after an ICE agent fatally shot the 37-year-old mother of three in Minneapolis.
Becca Good, Renee’s partner, and Brent Ganger, her brother, are the named plaintiffs in the actions, which were lodged against multiple defendants including an ICE officer and senior Trump administration figures. The filings allege wrongful death and excessive force in connection with the January 7 shooting.
Renee Nicole Good had recently relocated to Minneapolis with Becca when she was killed during an immigration enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. She was seated behind the wheel of her SUV at the time, as clashes between protesters and federal agents intensified.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner subsequently ruled Good’s death a homicide. That determination establishes that another person caused her death but does not alone establish criminal liability.
The lawsuits arrive months after the shooting, which has drawn sustained scrutiny from local officials and community advocates. Minnesota prosecutors had sought evidence related to the killings of Good and Alex Pretti, another person who died during the same period of ICE operations, amid complaints about federal delays in turning over materials.
A federal judge earlier gave the government a three-week deadline to produce evidence from Good’s killing. Federal authorities eventually complied after months of resistance, though a broader federal probe into the shootings has remained elusive.
Becca Good has separately sought the return of the SUV her partner was driving when she was shot, after federal authorities indicated they would not investigate the ICE killing. The vehicle has remained in government custody.
The litigation adds to a growing body of legal action challenging immigration enforcement tactics during the Trump administration’s second term. The American Immigration Council has noted the complexity of suing ICE agents and officials, given legal immunities that shield federal officers in many circumstances.
Good’s family retained a Chicago-based law firm to investigate the shooting before filing suit. The firm has experience in police misconduct and civil rights litigation.
The January 7 operation that killed Good occurred during a period of intensified immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Tensions between federal agents and community members had escalated throughout the day, culminating in the fatal confrontation.
The wrongful death claim asserts that the ICE officer’s use of deadly force was unjustified under the circumstances, while the excessive force allegation challenges the broader conduct of the operation. Both claims seek damages and declaratory relief.
Legal experts note that civil suits against federal immigration officers face significant procedural hurdles, including qualified immunity doctrines and the Westfall Act, which can shift liability to the government and shield individual officers from personal damages.
The family’s attorneys have not publicly stated the specific damages sought. The cases are expected to move through federal discovery, with the government required to respond to the complaints in coming weeks.