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Victim identified as Renee Nicole Good, 37-year-old poet and mother
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and award-winning poet, was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday. City leaders confirmed she was present as a legal observer during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation.
Family remembers her as compassionate and devoted
Good's mother, Donna Ganger, described her daughter as "one of the kindest people I've ever known," emphasizing her lifelong dedication to caring for others. "She was loving, forgiving, and affectionate," Ganger told the Minnesota Star Tribune. Good's father, Tim Ganger, called her life "good, but hard" in an interview with the Washington Post.
A U.S. citizen originally from Colorado Springs, Good had recently relocated to Minneapolis from Kansas City. She previously worked as a dental assistant and at a credit union but had primarily been a stay-at-home mother in recent years. Her second husband, Tim Macklin, passed away in 2023, leaving behind their six-year-old son.
Good studied creative writing at Old Dominion University in Virginia, where she earned a degree in English. In 2020, she won an undergraduate poetry prize from the Academy of American Poets for her piece On Learning to Dissect Fetal Pigs. Her biography noted her passion for writing, film marathons, and creating art with her children.
"May Renee's life be a reminder of what unites us: freedom, love, and peace."
Brian Hemphill, President of Old Dominion University
Fundraiser for family exceeds $370,000 in hours
A crowdfunding campaign for Good's family, initially set at $50,000, surpassed $370,000 within 10 hours of its launch. Her private Instagram account, which described her as a "poet, writer, wife, and mom," reflected her enthusiasm for her new life in Minneapolis.
Conflicting narratives emerge over shooting
City officials stated Good was acting as a legal observer-a volunteer who monitors law enforcement to ensure rights are protected and misconduct is deterred. Her mother denied any involvement in confrontational activities, telling the Star Tribune that Good was "not part of anything" challenging ICE.
However, the Trump administration labeled Good a "domestic terrorist." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused her of "stalking and impeding" ICE agents, claiming she "weaponized her vehicle" and attempted to run over an officer. Noem stated the agent fired in self-defense after fearing for his life.
President Trump echoed these claims on Truth Social, calling Good a "professional agitator" who "violently" resisted officers. Yet Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed the official account, calling the shooting "bullshit" after reviewing video evidence. "This was an agent recklessly using power that resulted in somebody dying," Frey said.
Protests erupt nationwide as tensions rise
Good's death has sparked demonstrations across the U.S., with protesters demanding justice under the slogan "Justice for Renee." The shooting occurred roughly a mile from where George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer in 2020, a case that ignited global anti-racism movements.
Good's first husband, who spoke anonymously, told media she was a devoted Christian who had participated in youth missions to Northern Ireland. He denied she was an activist, describing her as someone who "cared deeply about people."
