The woman fatally shot by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis has been identified as Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three who had recently relocated to the city. Good was a talented prize-winning poet and an enthusiastic hobby guitarist. City leaders have stated that she was present as a legal observer of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities at the time of her tragic death. However, the Trump administration has controversially labeled her a domestic terrorist.
Good's death has ignited protests across the United States, with many demonstrators holding signs declaring Justice for Renee. Her mother, Donna Ganger, shared with the Minnesota Star Tribune that her daughter was likely terrified during the confrontation that led to her death, describing her as “one of the kindest people I've ever known.” Ganger emphasized her daughter's compassion, stating, “She’s taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving, and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.”
Good's father, Tim Ganger, told the Washington Post that, while she had a good life, it was also a challenging one. In a remarkable show of support, a fundraiser set up for Good's family with a goal of $50,000 raised over $500,000 in just 15 hours. Good, a U.S. citizen originally from Colorado Springs, had moved to Minneapolis from Kansas City just last year. Her Instagram account, which has since been made private, described her as a poet, writer, wife, and mom, who was exploring her new city.
Good was previously married to Tim Macklin, who passed away in 2023. Together they had a six-year-old son. Good also had two children from her first marriage, whose father requested to remain unnamed. He noted that she was not an activist but a devoted Christian who participated in youth missions to Northern Ireland during her younger years. Over the years, she had worked as a dental assistant and at a credit union, but had primarily taken on the role of stay-at-home mom.
Renee Good pursued her passion for creative writing at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where she graduated with a degree in English. In 2020, she was honored with an undergraduate prize from the Academy of American Poets for her work titled On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs. Good’s biographical information noted her enjoyment of movie marathons and creating art with her children, highlighting her vibrant personality beyond her literary accomplishments.
University President Brian Hemphill remarked that Good’s sudden death exemplifies the disturbing prevalence of fear and violence in society, stating, “May Renee’s life be a reminder of what unites us: freedom, love, and peace.” Meanwhile, several state leaders have indicated that Good was present at an ICE operation as a legal observer, a volunteer who monitors police activities during protests. However, her mother insisted that her daughter was not involved in any actions against ICE agents.
Contrastingly, White House officials, including Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, claimed that Good was not merely observing but actively obstructing officers. Noem alleged that Good had been stalking and impeding their work throughout the day, even attempting to run over one officer, an assertion that has sparked significant debate. President Trump echoed these sentiments on social media, labeling Good a “professional agitator.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed his disapproval of the agent's actions, describing them as reckless. “Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly: that is bullshit," Frey declared, criticizing the reckless use of power that led to Good’s untimely death. The location of the incident is notably close to where George Floyd was murdered by a police officer in 2020, a tragedy that ignited global protests against racism and police violence.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of Renee Nicole Good, a mother, poet, and compassionate soul whose life was cut short amid a contentious national debate over immigration enforcement and civil rights.