The family of Renee Good, who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis this January, has initiated civil legal action against the federal government and several federal agents and officials. The family announced the filing of multiple civil lawsuits in federal court, seeking accountability for the events that led to Good's death. This development comes shortly after Good's mother, Donna Ganger, and her brother, Brent Ganger, provided testimony before Congress in a joint hearing focused on fatal shootings involving federal immigration officers over the past two years.
One of the complaints specifically names the United States as the defendant. This lawsuit, brought under Minnesota law, alleges wrongful death. The legal filing details a series of actions, including battery, assault, and false imprisonment, which the family claims directly contributed to Renee Good's death. Furthermore, the complaint asserts that intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence were also factors in the fatal incident. These allegations form the basis of the family's claim against the federal government concerning Good's demise.
A second complaint expands the scope of the legal challenge, naming specific individuals and entities. Among the defendants are Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer identified as fatally shooting Renee Good on January 7. Also named in this complaint are Stephen Miller, who serves as White House Deputy Chief of Staff, and Kristi Noem, the former Homeland Security Secretary. This particular lawsuit alleges a broad "conspiracy to interfere with civil rights" involving a range of parties. The complaint specifies that senior federal officials, federal immigration enforcement agents, and certain private actors are implicated in this alleged conspiracy. Further, the legal document contends that this conspiracy was discriminatory in nature, specifically targeting Somali and Hispanic communities. The suit also claims that the conspiracy aimed at silencing individuals and groups allied with these communities.
The family's pursuit of legal remedies follows the January 7 incident in Minneapolis, where Renee Good was killed. The details of the shooting were not expanded upon in the announcement of the lawsuits, but the family's testimony before Congress underscored their concerns regarding federal immigration enforcement practices. Donna and Brent Ganger's appearance before the congressional hearing highlighted a broader pattern of fatal encounters involving federal immigration officers over the last two years, providing a backdrop to their specific legal actions. Their testimony sought to bring attention to these incidents as their civil suits now seek redress through the federal court system.