Renee Nicole Good —Woman fatally shot by ICE agent

On January 7, 2026, the world learned the name Renee Nicole Good — a 37-year-old mother, poet, writer, and beloved member of her community — after she was fatally shot by a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Renee lived in the Twin Cities area with her partner and was a devoted mother of three children. Friends and family remember her as compassionate, loving, and devoted to caring for others — someone who took care of people all her life and touched many with her warmth.

She studied creative writing at Old Dominion University, where she excelled in poetry and won recognition for her work. She described herself on social media as a “poet and writer and wife and mom,” reflecting her passion for creativity, family, and life.

The Day Her Life Changed

On the morning of January 7, Renee was in her vehicle during an ICE enforcement operation in a residential neighborhood of Minneapolis when federal agents confronted her. Video and eyewitness accounts show agents surrounding her SUV and giving conflicting orders. As she attempted to move her car — believed by her family and some witnesses to be a flight response out of fear — an ICE agent fired multiple shots into the vehicle, striking her. She later died from her injuries at a local hospital.

Federal officials, including the Department of Homeland Security, have defended the shooting, claiming the agent acted in self-defense — a description that has been strongly disputed by eyewitnesses, family members, city leaders, and video evidence.

A Family Mourns, a Community Protests

Her death has sparked outrage, protests, and vigils throughout Minneapolis and beyond. Hundreds have gathered to mourn Renee’s life and call for justice, their voices echoing the grief felt by her loved ones. A viral video even captured controversy at a makeshift memorial when a Department of Homeland Security officer was seen kicking over a candle honoring her memory — an image that intensified public emotion.

Her mother, Donna Ganger, called her daughter “one of the kindest people I’ve ever known,” describing her as loving, forgiving, and affectionate — someone whose death made no sense to those who knew her.

Renee’s life was more than a name in a headline — she was a creative spirit, a mother, and a friend. Her death has become a flashpoint in national discussions about law enforcement, civil rights, and how civilian lives are valued in high-stakes confrontations.

Those who knew her remember her not for the tragic way she died, but for the love she gave, the words she wrote, and the family she cherished.