The family of Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old Minneapolis mother fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent on January 7, 2026, has taken decisive steps in their pursuit of answers and accountability. Quietly hiring the high-profile Chicago law firm Romanucci & Blandin—the same team that secured a record $27 million civil settlement for the family of George Floyd in 2021—the Goods are launching an independent civil investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Attorney Antonio M. Romanucci, leading the effort alongside co-counsel Kevin Riach of Minneapolis, has vowed to provide transparent, rolling updates to the public as evidence emerges.

The move comes amid intense national scrutiny of the incident, which unfolded in broad daylight in south Minneapolis near Portland Avenue between East 33rd and 34th Streets. Good, a writer, poet, and mother of three, had just dropped her six-year-old child at school when she and her partner, Becca Good, encountered federal agents conducting an immigration enforcement operation in their neighborhood. According to the family’s legal team, Renee stopped her vehicle to observe and offer support to neighbors, not to interfere aggressively. Moments later, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fired multiple shots into her SUV, striking her in the face, head, arm, and chest. She was pronounced dead at the scene despite bystanders, including a physician, offering immediate aid—offers that agents reportedly blocked.

The family has emphasized that Renee was unarmed, cooperative, and attempting to follow instructions when the shooting occurred. In a statement released through Romanucci & Blandin, they described her as “relentlessly hopeful and optimistic,” a woman who embodied love and peace. They explicitly rejected efforts to portray her as a “political pawn” or “domestic terrorist,” a label applied by some Trump administration officials amid broader immigration crackdowns. Instead, they called for her to be remembered as “an agent of peace for all,” urging the public to focus on humanity, empathy, and justice rather than division.

Central to the family’s strategy is the impending release of what they describe as the “final audio recording”—a piece of evidence they believe could dramatically alter public understanding of the events. While details remain closely guarded ahead of its disclosure, sources close to the investigation suggest the audio captures key moments from the confrontation, potentially including commands given by agents, Good’s responses, and surrounding chaos. The recording, combined with existing bystander videos, 911 transcripts, and body-worn or phone footage from agents, is expected to challenge official narratives that have justified the use of lethal force.

Romanucci has been unequivocal about the stakes. “ICE killed the best of the best when they shot Renee Good,” he told reporters upon arriving in Minneapolis to meet with the family. He highlighted discrepancies in accounts: agents claimed Good weaponized her vehicle to strike an officer, yet video evidence reviewed by local officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey, appeared to contradict this. Frey publicly called the DHS assertion “bullshit” and demanded ICE leave the city. The attorney stressed that the family’s goal is not vengeance but truth—understanding “what could and should have been done to let Renee live and pick her child up safely from school that afternoon.”

The hiring of Romanucci & Blandin carries significant weight. The firm’s track record in high-profile civil rights cases, particularly the Floyd settlement, positions it as one of the nation’s premier teams for wrongful death and excessive force litigation against government entities. Romanucci has indicated the investigation will explore potential Bivens claims against Agent Ross individually or Federal Tort Claims Act actions against the United States government. Unlike criminal probes, civil suits allow families to seek damages and force accountability even when federal authorities decline to pursue charges.

The U.S. Department of Justice has already stated there is “no basis” for a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting, though an FBI probe remains ongoing. This decision, announced amid resignations from federal prosecutors in Minnesota frustrated by the administration’s handling of the case, has deepened the family’s resolve. Romanucci criticized overlapping federal, state, and county inquiries as unhelpful and uncooperative, vowing his team will fill the transparency gap by sharing findings “as often as possible” and “promptly.”

Public reaction to Good’s death has been polarized. Protests erupted across Minneapolis and beyond, with demonstrations at the State Capitol, clashes near federal buildings, and calls to abolish ICE or halt its operations in sanctuary cities like Minneapolis. Governor Tim Walz proclaimed January 9 “Renee Good Day,” honoring her memory and condemning the violence. Local leaders, including Attorney General Keith Ellison and mayors from Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed suit against the Department of Homeland Security to block further ICE deployments. Meanwhile, some conservative voices and online fundraisers for Agent Ross framed the incident as justified self-defense against obstruction during a legitimate enforcement action.

Good’s background adds layers to the tragedy. A prize-winning poet and hobby guitarist, she was known for her kindness and community involvement. Her family portrayed her as a devoted mother who had recently moved to Minneapolis, building a life filled with hope despite personal challenges. Her widow, Becca, and extended relatives—including parents Tim and Donna Ganger and four siblings—have remained united in grief, rejecting political exploitation while demanding answers.

As the civil investigation ramps up, the promised audio release looms as a potential turning point. If it corroborates the family’s version of events—showing confusion, conflicting commands, or a lack of imminent threat—it could shift narratives, fuel lawsuits, and intensify calls for reform in federal immigration enforcement. For now, the Goods stand firm, refusing to back down until justice is served and Renee’s legacy as a loving, peaceful person is honored.

The coming weeks promise more revelations. Romanucci has assured the public that his team will pursue every avenue to uncover the truth, no matter how uncomfortable. In a case already marked by division, grief, and national debate, the family’s determination signals that this story is far from over.