The family of Renee Nicole Good has accused U.S. federal immigration officers of causing the death of the Minneapolis mother while she was complying with their instructions. They announced on Wednesday that they have retained the services of the law firm that represented George Floyd’s family to seek clarity and accountability.
In a statement released by Good’s loved ones through the Chicago-based firm Romanucci & Blandin, they emphasized that Good, aged 37, should be remembered as “a peacemaker.” They urged the public not to politicize her passing and revealed that the law firm will share details from its investigation in the coming weeks.
This decision by the family to engage the law firm coincided with the U.S. Justice Department’s announcement that it found no grounds to launch a federal civil rights inquiry into the incident involving a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Meanwhile, the FBI continues its investigation into Good’s death.
The Trump administration has supported the actions of the ICE officer, claiming that the officer shot in self-defense while positioned in front of Good’s vehicle as it moved forward. However, this explanation has faced widespread criticism from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and others who have viewed videos of the encounter.
Several federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned this week, and some supervisors in the criminal division of the civil rights department in Washington have also given notice of their departures, as reported by sources familiar with the situation.
Romanucci & Blandin stated that Good’s family seeks answers regarding the federal operation that occurred on Jan. 7 in the neighborhood where the tragedy unfolded, as well as the officers’ conduct during the encounter and the delays in providing medical assistance after the shooting. The identity of the ICE agent involved in the shooting has not been disclosed.
According to the law firm, Good’s partner, Becca Good, and other relatives stated that they had just dropped off their six-year-old child at school and had stopped to observe law enforcement activities when they were approached by officers.
The attorneys noted that Renee Nicole Good seemed to reverse and steer her vehicle away from an agent before the shooting took place, although an official account from investigators is still pending.
Becca Good expressed in a statement to Minnesota Public Radio on Friday that they had stopped to show support for their neighbors, mentioning, “We had whistles. They had guns.”
The law firm affirmed that they will disclose their findings progressively because they believe the community is not receiving sufficient information from other sources. Having previously secured a $27 million settlement for Floyd’s family, the firm is now representing Becca Good, as well as Renee Nicole Good’s parents and siblings.
Becca Good and her family have not engaged with calls and messages from The Associated Press. Their earlier statement did not provide additional details about the day of the incident, focusing instead on honoring Renee’s memory.