Renee Good’s family has sued the US government and federal officials over her January killing in Minneapolis, saying the time has come for accountability.
According to an Associated Press report, the lawsuits were filed by Good’s partner, Becca Good, and her brother, Brent Ganger, on behalf of her family. They accuse the government and Jonathan Ross, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who shot into Good’s SUV, of using unjustified and excessive force.
Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was killed on January 7 while driving with Becca Good. They had just dropped their six-year-old son at school when they encountered masked federal immigration officers conducting an enforcement operation. Bystander video shows Good stopping and repeatedly honking her red SUV’s horn before an officer ordered her to leave the vehicle. The officer then fired through the windshield and later fired two more shots, according to an analysis of the video cited in the report.
Federal officials said at the time that the officer acted in self-defence and accused Good of committing “an act of domestic terrorism”.
One lawsuit against the US government seeks unspecified damages for wrongful death and the suffering Good allegedly experienced before her death, as well as the family’s loss. The second names Ross and officials including White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, former Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem and White House border czar Tom Homan. It alleges wrongful death, conspiracy and other violations.
The family’s lawyers describe Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota, as a coordinated effort targeting Somali and Hispanic immigrants. The lawsuit also alleges that the government sought to conceal evidence and that officials were concerned a civil rights investigation could undermine claims that Good had tried to kill an officer.
Other named defendants include Corey Lewandowski, former acting ICE director Todd Lyons, former US Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and 10 unnamed federal agents.
The Justice Department did not respond to an email seeking comment, according to the report. Legal scholars said the cases could face significant challenges, although one professor said the conspiracy lawsuit could reveal more about the roles of senior administration officials.
Good’s killing, and the killing of another US citizen, Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis weeks later, prompted national outrage and calls to limit immigration enforcement. The family’s lawsuits seek unspecified damages; their claims have not been adjudicated.
