The family of Renee Good, who was tragically shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis this past January, has shared their anguish over the incident. They revealed that they spent “agonizing hours in limbo,” unsure of the details surrounding her death.
Shock and Disbelief from Family Members
Renee Good’s brother, Brent Ganger, expressed how hard it was to process the news. “It’s the complete antithesis of who she was to die in that way. It doesn’t feel real still,” he told CBS Evening News.
Brent and his brother, Luke Ganger, learned about the shooting from their older sister, but at first, they had no idea about Good’s condition. They then informed their parents, but their father, Tim Ganger, recalled that it was an impossible shock to prepare for. “I mean, there’s just no way to even prepare yourself to hear that…There’s nothing to say. But it was just a complete, utter shock,” he said.
Devastating News Delivered by Phone
Good’s mother, Donna Ganger, shared how she learned of the incident. She received a call from her son, Luke, who told her, “He said, Renee’s been shot by an ICE agent… she’s passed away, she’s gone. I think I just said no a whole bunch of times.”
Good Remembered for Her Calming Presence
Good’s family described her as someone with a calming presence, which makes the details surrounding her death even harder to comprehend. Luke Ganger stated, “Those words are just so far removed from who she was as a person,” referring to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s comment that described Good’s actions as “an act of domestic terrorism.”
In the moments following the news of her death, the family urged one another to avoid seeing the online footage of the shooting. However, the only footage they saw showed Good sitting in her car, speaking to an officer, saying, “It’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.” Her family believes this was an attempt to deescalate the situation. Tim Ganger emphasized, “She always was a very calming presence.”
Family Reflects on Good’s Character
Her family highlighted that Good was the least combative person they knew. “It feels like an exaggeration, but it feels true to say that she’s like the least combative person I’ve known,” said Luke Ganger.
Donna Ganger added that Good had a special ability to make people feel valued. “She made you feel like you are the most important thing in her life, but she could do it to all of us.”
Political Divisions and Personal Beliefs
Good’s family considers themselves a microcosm of the American electorate, with differing political views within the family. Tim Ganger, for instance, voted for President Trump, who had suggested that Good might have been a “paid agitator.” However, Tim Ganger firmly disagreed, stating that his daughter would never have used her vehicle as a weapon against a federal agent. “Absolutely not,” Brent Good reiterated.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
In the aftermath of Good’s tragic death, her family has focused on honoring her memory by recalling her “goofy laugh,” “singing voice,” and “hugs.” Despite the pain, Donna Ganger stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the shooting.
When asked who should be held accountable, Tim Ganger said, “I’m not sure that’s up to us.”
Another Tragic Incident in Minneapolis
The family was devastated to learn that weeks later, ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed in a separate incident in Minneapolis involving Customs and Border Protection agents. Brent Ganger reflected, “Something is broken and something needs to be fixed, because this shouldn’t happen and it certainly shouldn’t happen again in such short order after Renee.”
