Additional Coverage:
- Renee Good’s family shares heartbreaking message on what would’ve been her 38th birthday (themirror.com)
Family Honors Renee Good on What Would Have Been Her 38th Birthday
The family of Renee Good, the Minneapolis woman tragically shot and killed by ICE in January, released a heartfelt tribute Thursday, commemorating what would have been her 38th birthday.
In a statement, Good’s parents, Tim and Donna Ganger, along with her siblings, reflected on her life and loss: “Thirty-eight years ago today, Renee blessed our lives with love, beauty, and light. Renee, full of promise, was taken from us much too soon on January 7, 2026-a day that forever changed our family.”
They added, “We are grateful for the 37 years we had her and her warmth. Today and every day, we remember what we have lost, but remain so thankful for what she gave to all of us. We love and miss you so much, Nae.”
Good, a U.S. citizen born in Colorado and mother of three, had recently relocated to Minneapolis from Kansas City, Missouri, with her partner. Her family described her as an affectionate person and an avid singer. On social media, she identified herself as a poet, writer, wife, and mom, embracing her new life and community in Minneapolis.
A graduate of Old Dominion University in Virginia, Good studied creative writing and earned recognition for her work in 2020. She also co-hosted a podcast with her second husband, who passed away in 2023. She leaves behind three children: a 15-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son from her first marriage, and a 6-year-old son from her second.
Circumstances Surrounding Renee Good’s Death
On January 7, Good was fatally shot while sitting in her SUV during an encounter with ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Ross had been recording Good and her partner on his cell phone before stepping in front of the vehicle.
When another ICE agent ordered Good to exit the SUV, she began moving the car forward. Video footage shows her steering away from Ross, though there are conflicting accounts about whether the vehicle struck him.
Immediately after the shooting, Ross was heard using a derogatory term, and Good’s SUV subsequently crashed into parked cars. The incident sparked deep political division nationwide. Many conservatives defended Ross’ actions, while liberals condemned the shooting, fueling widespread outrage.
Good’s death also ignited a wave of anti-ICE protests across the United States during the early winter months of 2026, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement practices.