Renee Good was ‘slow to anger, quick to love,’ her father tells AP

In a quiet Minneapolis neighborhood known for progressive activism, Renee Good was building a new life with her partner Becca and their 6-year-old son when tragedy struck. The 37-year-old mother of three, described by family as someone who “loved sparkles and laughter,” was shot and killed on January 7 by an immigration officer during federal enforcement operations that sparked widespread protests across the city.

“She had this way of making you feel special and loved that I didn’t even understand until we lost her,” said her mother, Donna Ganger, during an interview with the Associated Press in Colorado, where some family members reside.

Good’s death, along with that of another U.S. citizen, Alex Pretti, weeks later, ignited national outrage and intensified calls for immigration enforcement reform. The incidents occurred during a period of heightened immigration operations in Minneapolis that had already triggered community unrest.

Recently graduated and working as a substitute teacher and school district volunteer, Good had found fulfillment in her career. “She was working so hard to get her education, and then she was finally able to use it, and I could just tell how happy she was,” her mother reflected.

On social media, Good described herself as a “poet and writer and wife and mom.” Her Pinterest account featured posts about tattoos, hairstyles, and home decorating, painting a picture of a woman embracing life’s simple joys.

The family spoke of Good’s ability to form deep connections with others. “It was incredible to receive that back,” said Luke Ganger, Good’s brother, describing how the Minneapolis community embraced the family in their time of grief.

During the interview, Donna Ganger held a sparkly toy owl that her daughter had given her, a token of Good’s love for glitter. At Good’s memorial service, guests were invited to take glitter in remembrance. “She just kind of sparkled all the way through,” her mother said.

The circumstances surrounding Good’s death remain contentious. Initial statements from Trump administration officials claimed she had attempted to drive her vehicle into an immigration officer, with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem characterizing it as “an act of domestic terrorism.” However, as more details emerged, official rhetoric softened considerably.

Video footage of the incident shows Good in a red SUV partially blocking a street and honking her horn during an immigration operation. When officers approached and ordered her to exit the vehicle, Good briefly reversed before beginning to pull forward. At that point, an ICE officer standing in front of the car drew his weapon and fired at least two shots, fatally wounding her.

The Good family represents what Luke Ganger described in congressional testimony as “a very American blend” with diverse political views. “We vote differently, and we rarely completely agree on the finer details of what it means to be a citizen of this country,” he stated, adding that despite these differences, they “have always treated each other with love and respect.”

When President Donald Trump later commented that Tim Ganger, Renee’s father, had been a supporter, Tim declined to discuss his political affiliation or whether it had changed following his daughter’s death. “There’s so many other important things to deal with now,” he said.

The family expressed hope that their unity despite political differences might serve as an example for a divided nation. “Our purpose through this whole tragic, difficult, unbelievable time, is to have something good come out of this,” Tim Ganger said. “Otherwise the senselessness of this is overwhelming.”

Brent Ganger, another of Good’s brothers, observed, “I think it’s evident that something is broken, right? And when something is broken, you have to take a deep look to see what it is that can be changed and fixed in order for it to not happen again.”

The Justice Department has stated it sees no basis for a federal civil rights investigation into Good’s death. However, the family has retained legal counsel to conduct an independent investigation and explore potential legal action. Family members noted that no one from the federal government has contacted them regarding the incident.

“All we can do is speak out and hope that our sincere words are enough to enact some kind of change,” Brent Ganger said, underscoring the family’s quest for accountability and broader reform in the wake of their devastating loss.