Renee Nicole Good’s family is alleging that U.S. federal immigration officers caused the death of the Minneapolis mother while she was trying to comply with their instructions. They announced on Wednesday that they have retained the services of the law firm that represented George Floyd’s family to seek clarification and hold those responsible accountable.
In a statement released by Good’s loved ones through the Chicago-based firm Romanucci & Blandin, they emphasized that they want Good, aged 37, to be remembered as a “peacemaker” and appealed to the public not to exploit her death for political purposes. The law firm indicated that it will disclose details from its investigation in the upcoming weeks.
The family’s choice to engage the law firm coincided with the announcement by the U.S. Justice Department that it does not find grounds to initiate a federal civil rights inquiry into the shooting by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent. Meanwhile, the FBI is currently conducting an investigation into Good’s demise.
The Trump administration has supported the actions of the ICE officer, stating that he fired in self-defense while positioned in front of Good’s vehicle as it started moving forward. However, this explanation has faced criticism from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and others, based on video evidence of the altercation.
Several federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned this week, and numerous supervisors in the criminal section of the civil rights division in Washington have tendered their resignations, as reported by sources familiar with the situation.
Romanucci & Blandin mentioned that Good’s family is seeking information about the federal operation that occurred on Jan. 7 in the neighborhood where Good was killed, as well as insights into the officers’ conduct during the encounter and the delays in providing medical assistance after the shooting. The identity of the ICE agent who discharged the firearm has not been made public.
According to the law firm, Good’s partner, Becca Good, and other family members stated that they had dropped off their six-year-old child at school and had stopped to observe the law enforcement activity when they were approached by officers.
The attorneys highlighted that Renee Nicole Good seemed to have reversed her vehicle and turned away from an agent before the shooting, although an official account from investigators has not been released.
The law firm expressed, “What occurred to Renee is unjust,” and they plan to release their findings progressively as they believe the community is not receiving sufficient information from other sources. Additionally, the firm, which played a role in securing a $27-million US settlement for Floyd’s family, is now representing Becca Good, as well as Renee Nicole Good’s parents and siblings.
Becca Good conveyed a message to Minnesota Public Radio on Friday, stating that the couple had halted to support their neighbors: “We had whistles. They had guns.”
Becca Good and her family have not responded to inquiries from The Associated Press. Her previous statement did not provide further details about the day of the shooting but instead focused on honoring her wife.